The Curse of "Y"

“It’s perfectly simple.”

-Hemingway in “Hills Like White Elephants”

The man in “Hills Like White Elephants” is frustratingly simple-minded. He demonstrates no understanding of what his quasi-girlfriend is experiencing internally as they discuss the possibility of aborting their recently conceived baby. He is unable to look outside his own perspective. This theme of the idiocy and selfishness of males is also the typical representation provided in most sitcoms on television today. I wonder if this stereotype perpetuates the problem. What would happen if, instead of constantly demeaning men and portraying them in a negative light, media and literature painted even just a few pictures of what a mature, selfless man looks like? What would happen if just one of the popular cartoons on television included an intelligent, competent, loving father? While I hold my breath, I’ll continue being the best father and husband I can be, despite so many voices telling me I’m hopeless simply because I was born with a Y chromosome.