Masculinity exposed

Earlier this week former Federal Labor leader Mark Latham lamented the emasculation of the Aussie male. Now Treasurer Peter Costello has cast aspersions on Latham’s masculinity.

“It’s all right for him to throw off at metrosexuals and how men have gone wussy. (But) I might take his criticism more seriously if he donned a tool kit on his belt and went out to a construction site every day,” Mr Costello said.

“He stays at home to raise his two sons — which is very metrosexual.”

Mr Costello stressed there was nothing wrong with stay-at-home dads.

But “if you’re a stay-at-home dad, don’t go out and attack men for losing their masculinity”.

Hmm, maybe it’s just me, but there seems to be some equivocation in Costello’s affirmation of stay-at-home dads. Have I got this right? There’s nothing wrong with stay-at-home dads, but Latham is one, so he shouldn’t hold forth about others’ masculinity. Check.

Well whatever, but anyway I propose that Costello and Latham be brought together on national television and made to whip out their respective members. Australians could then decide in a more traditional manner who is the real man.

That would put this little ‘debate’ at just about the level it belongs.