It's a nice piece, but it seems a bit sexist and over the top.

John Wayne, 'the Duke', lived out in Newport Beach, CA - my grandfather knew him and socialized with him...and while he was an ok guy...he was an alcoholic... and not quite as great a guy to his family or all folks... as Noonan would like his 'movie image' to live up to.

I don't think people will be saying we need more Bruce Willis' or Schwarzenegger's or Stallone's - in 2030, as we realize they are actors and they're just reading lines.

Noonan's piece seems to be fostering the illusion that manliness was out of style - no it never was - men didn't change - only the media that report on them, the television industry that portrays selective stereotypes.

While I still hold the door open for women and that hasn't changed for several decades...most women are still very appreciative...though the reaction has changed only by adding a bit of 'surprise' into the mix. Perhaps too many men have received the treatment Larry received and so have stopped doing it. (Personal rule is if they are behind one within five paces or so - hold it open;-)

Manliness was never out of style. Reporting on it and portraying it has been. The feminist revolution did not make women out of men - but perhaps made some women behave more 'manly'.

John Wayne was a conservative - that is very rare in hollywood. But so was Disney and a bunch of others.

She is unknowingly fostering the stereotype of the man who can't cry, show emotion or change diapers.

Manliness is evolving from the John Wayne image - 'empowering' men to be even more 'manly' as they provide income, protect, change diapers and rock the baby to sleep - and yes, to stay awake for awhile 'afterwards' to listen to their spouses thoughts and dreams ;-)

Generally, I like Noonan's pieces but this one seems a bit less coherent - and she seems to be dividing rather than uniting a bit here. I know what she wanted to say - but she needed to edit more carefully.

(Personally, I feel this piece might have been directed at some man she knows...and dislikes!)

Best wishes,

SDAI-Tech1