I feel that our society, in our relentless pursuit of equality (not necessarily a bad thing), has somewhat pushed our differences aside as something to be avoided at all costs, when our differences should be cherished and embraced. No one person can do it all; we can't be 100% masculine and 100% feminine.
That said, I also feel that society has undervalued feminine energy and leadership for a very long time. I don't think society undervalues women, but rather femininity. And I feel that most sexism is essentially rooted in a mis-trust or dis-taste for femininity which then gets broadly (and unfairly) put upon women at large.
The fact that a programmer can make $400k/year at Google but a teacher often tops out somewhere between $70-100k in that same city (and obviously less in other places) should say it all. Not to generalize about the people in these positions, but feminine jobs are widely undervalued relative to their masculine counterparts.
On a personal level, I'm a guy who considers himself mostly masculine on the masculine/feminine scale. I identify strongly with many of the typical traits of masculinity (true masculinity, not that toxic bullshit). I may not have the most chiseled jawline or be able to squat 7000 lbs, but I can build things, create value, provide strength to others (physically and emotionally), etc. I strive to protect the people I love and I value strength (real strength, the kind you don't have to brag about).
I'm also seeking femininity. I am interested in women who live independent lives, and I want a balanced relationship. But I want to be with a woman who is unafraid of her own femininity and embraces it, someone who simply loves being a woman just like I love being a man.
And like you wrote in your article, Yael, perhaps women being feminine and maintaining their independence is the greatest form of rebellion and feminism. I can only really speak for myself, but I would wager that that's what most men want. Forget the misogynists. They'll hate you no matter what. I would argue that most men want women to be unapologetic about their femininity and to hold their own strength in that while doing what they need to do to live the kind of life they want to live. We can all be winners here, in our own ways.
