AI Says...
The ego, this fundamental principle of our individual identity, is both a strength and a weakness. It can drive us to reach great heights or to fall into behaviors that distort our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Today, a phenomenon seems to be developing in the public and social spheres: masculinism, an ideology that presents itself as a response to feminist demands, but which, in reality, is just another mask that the ego wears to protect itself and maintain a position of dominance.
The New Disguise of the Ego
Contemporary masculinism claims to be a movement defending men's rights, often in response to what it considers gender inequalities in favor of women. However, behind this claim lies an ego-driven reaction to the growing influence of feminist movements and the questioning of traditional gender roles. Masculinism, far from seeking equality, aims to assert a masculine identity based on outdated stereotypes or even defend a position of superiority.
In this context, the masculinist ego presents itself as a wounded entity, perceiving the questioning of male privileges as an attack. Draped in a victimizing discourse, the ego seeks to defend itself against the perception of power loss. This reaction is typical of a dysfunctional ego, which, unable to adapt to social changes, turns to polarization and radicalization rather than reconciliation.
The Ego and its Derivatives
Ideally, the ego is a mechanism that allows us to differentiate ourselves from others while integrating our experiences and developing a sense of self. However, when it becomes too focused on self-assertion, it transforms into a fragile form of protection, based on the illusion of superiority. This leads to ideological deviations that, instead of fostering collective well-being, exacerbate divisions and conflicts.
Masculinism, like other socio-political deviations, is based on this dynamic: a collective ego that feels threatened, reacts with a defensive posture, and seeks to establish a rigid hierarchy where a part of society (in this case, men) retains a central position. But this posture is far from solving issues of inequality or social justice. On the contrary, it deepens them because it refuses to challenge power structures that benefit some while marginalizing others.
Comparison with Other Socio-Political Derivatives
There are many ideologies that, under the guise of defending rights or protecting certain values, are in reality manifestations of dysfunctional ego. Nationalism, for example, feeds off the same logic of separation and preservation of identity, through a binary worldview where the "other" is perceived as a threat. Similarly, religious or political extremisms can be seen as forms of collective egos that claim to possess the absolute truth and reject any form of dialogue or mutual understanding.
These movements, whether masculinist or nationalist, do not seek balance or reconciliation, but aim to preserve rigid power structures. They share the characteristic of an exaggerated defense of identity and status, to the detriment of the evolution towards a fairer and more equal society.
Derivatives in the Sphere of the Second Sex
If masculinism is a deviation of the collective masculine ego, there are also similar deviations in the sphere of the second sex. Some forms of feminism, for instance, can become just as dogmatic, in a quest for vengeance rather than justice. The aim is not to deny legitimate struggles for women's rights, but to highlight when the collective feminist ego, too focused on victimization, seeks to impose itself by opposing a Manichean worldview where men are systematically the oppressors.
Likewise, some ideologies linked to gender can also lead to an overidentification with a role or identity, whether masculine, feminine, or non-binary. The ego, in its quest for recognition, can become rigid in its vision of self, forgetting that identity is a dynamic, fluid process and not an unchanging mold.
Conclusion: The Call for a Balanced Ego
Whether through masculinism or other forms of ideological extremism, it is clear that the heart of the problem lies in a dysfunctional ego, both collective and individual, which feeds on fear, control, and domination. To go beyond these deviations, it is essential to cultivate a more flexible and empathetic ego, capable of understanding others and integrating the diversity of human experiences.
True social evolution will not come from defending fixed identities, but from the ability to engage in dialogue, challenge privileges, and build bridges between different groups. This work starts within each person, cultivating a more serene ego, less focused on self-defense, and more open to others. Masculinism, like all ego deviations, is merely a mirror of our collective fragilities, and only a profound shift in perspective can free us from these illusions of identity.