their purpose was more clearly defined and this "new age" is making a lot of men feel lost, because that one role has been "taken away".

Exactly. There is also the believe that fundamentally women do not want or need men, and that now that men are not as critically necessary to women's survival, they will be shut out of sex and purpose. This of course is deeply flawed, but I believe that this feeling of purposelessness and contempt is a huge driver in the resistance to the changing nature of masculine values.

I've spoken to many men who feel like they are being required to submit for defanging and emasculation. Only pathological women who want weak men they can dominate want that. I firmly believe that most healthy women still want a man who is productive but generous, strong but kind and wise with authority. As you said, the masculine role hasn't been removed, it's been expanded and there are now more ways to feel useful and appreciated than ever, if you're willing to consider them.