This article discusses misogyny.
Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for King of the Hill season 14, episode 9.Hank Hill mocked the “Manosphere” inKing of the Hillseason 14, and it highlights why he’s such a great dad. TheUnited Nations Womendefines the “Manosphere” as a “loose network of communities that claim to address men’s struggles – dating, fitness or fatherhood, for example – but often promote harmful advice and attitudes,” especially misogyny. It’s a modern problem, and theKing of the Hillrevivaltackled it.
Since its inception,King of the Hillhas never shied away from tackling controversial topicsand punching at both sides of the political aisle. Hank is as opposed to tree-hugging vegans as he is to Republican presidents with a limp handshake. That’s why it was so perfect thatKing of the Hillseason 14 introduced Hank to the “manosphere.”
Hank Hill Being Introduced To The Manosphere Is A Great Idea
Hank Hill is, both politically and morally, a unique character. He holds extremely traditional values and would often be considered a “classical” conservative: he values his family, free-market capitalism, and hard work above all else. That means Hank often falls in the middle of an increasingly divided political climate in America, and his values aren’t tied to one political party over another.
In turn, the Manosphere claims to hold the same traditional values as Hank. The video Good Hank watches claims that family, faith, fitness, and finances are the most important parts of life. In reality,the Manosphere is the pinnacle of toxic masculinity, and immersing Hank in this world of misogyny highlights just how different they are.
There couldn’t be a better contrast to the rampant misogyny of the Manosphere than Hank Hill. He loves his wife, he respects women, and he understands that masculinity can be a positive force on the world. Hank’s own words say it best: “If we aren’t getting support from those women in our lives it’s because we haven’t earned it.”
I honestly believeKing of the Hillseason 14, episode 9 could do a lot of good for the world. Hank, stubborn and quick to judge as he is, is a tremendous role model, especially for men. His brand of masculinity is what the Manosphere promised to be, but without the toxicity and misogyny.King of the Hillhas crafted one of the most effective counters to the Manosphere that I’ve ever heard.
Good Hank Is Another Chance For Hank To Be A Good Role Model
Another interesting part ofKing of the Hillseason 14, episode 9 was Hank’s relationship with his half-brother, Good Hank. GH was the entire reason Hank was at the ManMade seminar, and the reason he delivered that speech setting everyone straight. By the end of the episode, GH had even started to abandon his toxic masculinity and agree with Hank.
Good Hank and the changes he started to make after the ManMade seminar show that Hank Hill is a tremendous father. Hank understands GH’s point of view - he feels rejected by a girl - but he also has enough experience with raising Bobby to recontextualize it and put him on the right path. Hank is exactly the type of positive male role model every young man deserves.
Hank also has a tremendous amount of experience under his belt. Hank and Bobby clashed constantly when he was a kid, and Hank learned a lot of lessons about how to get through to a younger generation. He can use those same lessons to turn Good Hank into a good man, just like Bobby turned out. GH may even be in future seasons ofKing of the Hill.
