Man Gene Afflicts Edwards
After the National Enquirer’s unrelenting reports that former senator, vice presidential candidate, and presidential candidate John Edwards had an affair with videographer Rielle Hunter, Edward’s has finally admitted it. He denies that he fathered Hunter’s child. There will be all kinds of speculation as to why it happened, given that Edwards’ wife has been fighting cancer, Edwards was on Obama’s short list of vice presidential candidates, and in any event, he was virtually assured of a cabinet position in an Obama administration. The answer is pretty simple: The Man Gene, which is no excuse–just a wretched fact.
Leave a Reply
About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
Read more about Chris Parker
About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Read more about Jimmy Daniel
About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
Read more about Larry Bridgesmith
Maybe idiocy is the gene you should refer to. Why give males the ability to shrug and with raised hands and declare ” I’m just a man.”
Thanks for your comment. I realize I run the risk of being accused of what you’ve accused me of–or even worse– blaming the woman. I’m just trying to be honest. Since I dont’ understand The Man Gene, I can’t explain it other than in primitive terms. It causes one of the great divides between the sexes. Call it idiocy if you like, but I prefer The Man Gene.
If a woman wearing a low cut dress says hello to a man, he’s pretty sure she wants to have sex with him, courtesy of The Man Gene. While this conclusion is likely incorrect, that’s the kind of thinking The Man Gene causes.
Too bad we can’t talk about this serious disconnect without resorting to terms like idiocy. The Man Gene effect results in sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior in the workplace. I don’t think women can possibly understand The Man Gene–certainly not without the willingness to have an honest discussion with the idiots on the other side of the gender divide.
Unfortuntely I must agree with Mr. Phillips – men are definitely different physiologically and psychologically from women. What may seem innocent to a woman can be taken completely wrong by a man.
We men are a sad lot. It’s ok to hate us, but pity us, too.
Gee, and I thought using the term idiocy was being kind. It is a no brainer that boy children are different. But to explain the shenanigans as “the man gene possessed him” is bizarre.
Well, The Man Gene is bizarre, particularly to a woman. And BTW, nothing is a no brainer where The Man Gene is concerned.
I welcome your continued mockery.
Mockery, you say. Hmmmmmmm. Let me put it this way. If my beloved husband came home one day and confessed to me that he had an affair with another woman, I would be devastated.
If he then had the audacity to explain his actions were a result of the out-of-control man gene, he would be sent packing. How can one have faith and trust in an individual that cannot restrain himself and does not take responsibility for his actions?
I know, if I cheat on my husband I can say, “The devil made me do it.”
R, here we are. Mars and Venus fighting.
You’d have every right to be devastated. You’d have every right to send him packing.
Some men do show restraint. When they don’t, some take responsibility for their actions.
I think I first floated The Man Gene concept for two reasons: to try to explain how differently men and women view sexual harassment in the workplace and to try to explain why some men risk everything for sex, when in hindsight, it makes no sense at all.
My use of The Man Gene isn’t meant to provide a convenient excuse for a man’s inappropriate conduct. I believe, however, that The Man Gene is a fact. It affects every man from the Presdient of the USA to a CEO to a middle manager to a shoe salesman to a preacher to whoever. It’s affecting millions of men right this minute.
The disconnect between what you and I have had to say about this is indicative of the general disconnect existing between men and women when it comes to this subject.
It seems to have been this way since the beginning of time, so I don’t see any big change occurring. I do think it’s important to try to talk about it.
Thanks for your input.