Are “vilified” boys being robbed of role models?
That’s the question one leading British politician posed to a room full of his colleagues at Westminster Hall during a recent debate to mark International Men’s Day on Nov. 25, wherein a concerned Conservative Party MP Nick Fletcher blamed “female replacements” in fictional roles historically portrayed by men for their downfall.
He implicated “Doctor Who” star Jodie Whittaker, the first female actor to assume the traditionally male-led role in the long-running series, as well as much-derided rumors that the new James Bond could be a woman following Daniel Craig’s departure.
“Is there any wonder we are seeing so many young men committing crime?” the MP said, apparently baffling others in the room. ” … In recent years we have seen ‘Doctor Who,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ Luke Skywalker, ‘The Equalizer,’ all replaced by women.”
A now-viral clip of Fletcher’s discussion has more than 6 million views on Twitter, via Westminster reporter Adam Bienkov.
“Everywhere, not least within the cultural sphere, there seems to be a call from a tiny, yet very vocal, minority that every male character or good role model must have a female replacement. One only needs to look at the discussions surrounding who will play the next James Bond.”
Fletcher expanded on his theory: “And it’s not just James Bond. In recent years we have seen ‘Doctor Who,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ Luke Skywalker, ‘The Equalizer,’ all replaced by women. And men are left with the Krays and Tommy Shelby [from gangster drama “Peaky Blinders”]. Is there any wonder we are seeing so many young men committing crime?”
Citing morbid statistics that men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women, he also noted a “creeping narrative that males have it easy, life is a breeze and they have nothing to complain about.”
“It is clear that life is tough for many men and young boys, and many of our boys in schools are far from privileged,” he explained, adding that terms such as “toxic masculinity” have “vilified” men.
Labour Party Chair Anneliese Dodds reportedly sat up during Fletcher’s speech, believing she had “misheard” the Tory leader. The issue is “far more complex,” she went on to say, and has nothing to do with “who should be the next 007.”
Fans of the show were also dubious of Fletcher’s criticisms. “We’re eternally thankful to Jodie Whittaker for singlehandedly ending the horrific female crime wave that preceded her casting as Dr Who,” joked one follower, whose response found support from more than 12,000 on Twitter.
Fletcher attempted to clarify his controversial statement in a letter he shared on Twitter: “My rather nuanced point that there are increasingly fewer positive male role models for young boys was almost immediately misconstrued. My point was, in fact, a straightforward one and in no way linked Dr. Who being a female to crime being committed by men.”
He later concludes, “Boys need positive male role models, and that is a point that I will continue to reiterate and never apologize for making.”