The Gray Area with Sean Illing

The cult of toughness

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Sean Illing talks with political commentator and author David French about modern conservatism and masculinity. They discuss the divergence between the Right's view of masculinity and what they fear the Left's view is, how Trump and politicians in his image have changed the conception of manliness within the GOP, and what the continued glorification of these revised ideals will mean for our political future in America.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: David French (@DavidAFrench), senior editor, The Dispatch; contributing writer, The Atlantic

References: 

  • "The New Right's Strange and Dangerous Cult of Toughness" by David French (Atlantic; Dec. 1)
  • American Sniper, dir. Clint Eastwood (2014)
  • American Psychological Association, Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men (2018)
  • Senator Hawley Delivers National Conservatism Keynote on the Left's Attack on Men in America
  • "Madison Cawthorn: Society 'De-masculates' Men, Parents Should Raise Sons to Be Monsters" by Daniel Villarreal (Newsweek, Oct. 18)


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    This episode was made by: 

    • Producer: Erikk Geannikis
    • Editor: Amy Drozdowska
    • Engineer: Paul Robert Mounsey
    • Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall
    • Vox Audio Fellow: Victoria Dominguez

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