All need for change triggers immediate resistance. Men, who had always enjoyed a position of power and control, are still adapting to this new order. Macho attitudes are being substituted by new paradigms, but still appear in forms that are slow to eliminate.

Men today are certainly more sensitive.  There are a few reasons for this. One of them is that manual labor has been substituted by machines and electronic commands. Communication has increasing importance in society. Meanwhile, women have conquered a change of awareness and freedom by demanding equal rights. This has created a new atmosphere that permits and even requires changes that lead to the creation of more sensitive men.

Inequality between the sexes varies by country and region. Within Brazil, we find men more suited to new times, as in the case of large cities such as São Paulo.  But in Northeastern Brazil it is still possible to find “old goats” convinced of their superiority over women. We know that in general women still earn less than men who perform the same jobs.  It is also common for women to assume more responsibility than men for the education of their children and for organizing the home, even if they work outside the home as much as men.

In romantic relationships, most men still believe they have a right to have affairs, while they demand fidelity from their partners. In addition, they like to be served by women, as if they were ancient sultans. Male power is still maintained by men positioning themselves as controllers of any situation.  Many say “I am a man,” which means to say I am not a “woman” in an obviously discriminatory attitude. These men are still not in step with the new times and do not have their own identity, if they do not belittle the opposite sex.

Let’s be optimists. Men are realizing that it’s not good for them to sustain the role of the proud and protective macho. They are becoming aware that it is much better to live and act cooperatively.

To say that a man needs a female opinion when it comes to buying clothes is true, principally for those men who have not developed an aesthetic sensibility. Women are traditionally better at this and men like to be helped by a woman’s good taste. I believe we have a lot to learn from women in these matters.

Nevertheless, men are without a doubt more vain. This is in part because women have become more demanding. They no longer accept a partner with a paunch. And men have been learning how to take care of themselves. In any case, women are no longer the sole source of attention, and now share with men a responsibility for being attractive.

Men love to talk about football, women, cars, motorcycles, car racing and electronic equipment. They don’t like to talk about their feelings. They prefer to talk about sex, their conquests. More sensitive men are also attracted by self-awareness, the arts, philosophy and religion.

A superficial man is concerned about conquering more women. He is competitive and attracted to money, big cars and fame. More intelligent men study, read and are more concerned with their professional experiences and satisfaction, who knows, in even having a loving partner.  A wise man knows how to live as happily as possible.