Mansfield Clashes with Feminist Over ‘Manliness’

“Manliness is a challenge to a gender neutral society,” said Kenan Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield ’53, in an interview aired this weekend to promote his recent book, “Manliness”.

In the interview, shown on C-SPAN 2’s BookTV, feminist writer Naomi Wolf pressed Mansfield on his opinions about gender.

Mansfield argued that manliness is a virtue, which he defined as “confidence in a situation of risk.”

“Women don’t seek out risk,” he said.

According to Mansfield, this “virtue,” while not exclusive to men, goes hand-in-hand with the different roles to which men and women are better suited.

For instance, Mansfield said, men are more abstract and tend not to let their personal biases and emotions obstruct an argument.

“All of the greatest philosophers have been men,” he said.

“You’re so charming,” interjected Wolf, “but I’m profoundly offended.”

Mansfield also said the “manly man” is defined by his indifference to women and his refusal to pander to them.

“A woman [whom the manly man] loves, he will take guidance from, but women in general, he looks down upon,” Mansfield said.

Another key characteristic of Mansfield’s conception masculinity is authority.

“Women don’t have the same sense of authority,” he said.

When Wolf asked, “You need a penis to have authority?” Mansfield replied, “It helps.”

Wolf charged that Mansfield was responding to outdated arguments.

“I don’t know how to give you Cliffs Notes for feminism for the last 40 years, but we acknowledge differences,” she said.

When asked if his own wife was deferential in the way described in his book, Mansfield laughingly responded, “In an ironic way.”

The irony, he explained, does not detract from her deference.

The program, filmed on March 15, was aired on Saturday at 9 p.m. and again on Sunday at 6 and 9 p.m. It will reprise on March 26 at 3 p.m. on C-SPAN 2.