100 Skills

    The Art of Manliness' "100 Skills Every Man Should Know" is an interesting read. It begins by telling the reader a little bit about what it is like to be a man in this world and the skills that are necessary to be successful. Men are described as "procreators, protectors, and providers", all of which being dependable positions that would require skills. Some of the necessary skills listed were to be able to tell a joke, throw a spiral, shake hands, shuffle cards, and even read a book. It was so strange to see so many of these skills being aimed at men, as I feel a lot of them are beneficial to all. Plus, as a woman who is graduating with an English degree, I really hope that I can read a book. 

    Though I wish I could practice and perfect skill #60 of throwing a knockout punch to all the misogynists out there, I decided to go with the skill of skill #74, entertain yourself without a smartphone. I am not someone who is attached to my phone, but I know whenever there is a lull at the table or the minute I get bored, I see what is going on on my phone. Social media can be a bad place sometimes so I wanted to find ways to relax and relieve my boredom without the use of my phone. It was not a necessarily difficult task. It was nice to put the phone away for a bit and practice my embroidery a bit, take my dog for a walk, and did what the article said to do which was make a paper airplane!

    I think this skill of learning to entertain yourself without a smartphone was on the list because it is important. I do not believe that technology or phones are bad, but I see no harm in stepping away from them for a while. I think being able to find something else to do to entertain yourself besides your phone is a good thing. However, I do not see why it would be a skill essential for this list specifically. In the introduction of this post, the author described men as being "a warrior and a diplomat, a woodsman, and a scholar". I am not sure why this skill would be so necessary for men, but I do think it is a good skill to have. I think many of the skills that were on this list would also be on a "100 Skills Every Woman Should Know" or "100 Skills Every Human Should Know" list. Many of the skills on the "100 Skills Every Man Should Know" list are not gendered, just things that if they pertain to people, then those people should know. For example, the skill of being able to treat frostbite or knowing how to survive a bear attack, those are skills that someone who frequents adventures and hikes should know. Men are not the only people attacked by bears or victims of frostbite. I think anyone who is in a situation where they could be a victim to either of those things should have the skills necessary to protect themselves. 

    I do think though, that on a list of skills women should know, there would be more skills about how to protect from assault. I am not saying that men are not sexually assaulted or face those same dangers, but it is more often a woman would/ For example, many women know they should not walk alone in a parking garage, to carry their keys between their fingers, not to set their drink down and so much more. That is why I found skill #37; practice situational awareness, an interesting skill to be on the list for men. I do believe it is important for all to do that, but it is something women are taught and told to know as well. 

    There are many skills that I believe all people should know, but I do think sometimes it comes down to the individual. Yes, all people should know how to change a tire, cook at least one meal, and make a logical argument. However, people who don't wear ties don't need to know how to tie one. If someone has no interest in riding motorcycles, I do not see the need to put in all the time and effort it would take to learn. Yet I can see also the ways that skills are gendered. A lot of women need to learn the skill of speaking up and stop being passive where a lot of men need to learn the skill and sitting down and listening. But once again, it's difficult because to make assumptions around an entire gender is wrong. Plus, many people do not fall into the specifics of being just male or just female. I think for that reason the set of skills needed would come down to the individual again. On the list for "100 Skills All Humans Should Know" would be to treat everyone with kindness and respect, and I think that could help. Though it is naive to believe and assume all people possess this skill, I think it is the most important one and could help with a lot of the gendered issues I discussed earlier.