Men represent 80 percent of job losses in the U.S. since last fall, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Traditionally male domains like construction and manufacturing were hit especially hard. Globally, public opinion singles out the macho culture of investment bankers for taking aggressive risks in the market.

Meanwhile, conventionally women's trades are gaining ground and in countries like Iceland and Lithuania women are gaining political power as well. No wonder some are naming this recession a he-cession.

An article in Foreign Policy titled "The Death of Macho" caught our eye. The author, Reihan Salam, predicts the decline of the he-man era. He's a fellow at the New America Foundation, and joined us on the line from New York.