kateoplis: “Welcome to my latest experiment. I...

“Welcome to my latest experiment. I am the Coquette, and I’ve carved out this little corner in the hallowed halls of Playboy to spread around a thick layer of brutal truth on the current state of modern masculinity in the hopes that some of it sticks to the back of your eyeballs.

This column is about your American manhood — whether you’re comfortable with it, still looking for it, or don’t know what to do with it — I’m here to shoot you straight. There will be no bullshit. There will be no coddling. I’m not your mother, I’m not your girlfriend, and I’m sure as hell not here to sell you anything. I’m only here to give damned good advice, and maybe bust a few balls along the way. […]

The real trick is that I won’t be telling you how to be a man. Fuck that. I’d much rather tell you why to be a man. The world is already full of authority figures and corporate interests trying to shape your definition of a “real man.” Almost all of them are full of shit, and I’ll do what I can to help you spot their hidden agendas.

If I do my job right, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of contemporary sexuality, gender politics, and perhaps even your own identity. You’ll learn that sharpening your critical thinking skills is the secret to developing your own personal style, and you’ll start to recognize what parts of our culture are toxic in your pursuit of manhood.”

- The Coquette | Playboy