MEN & MASCULINITIES
In a neat reversal of the Adam’s Rib scenario ‘Men’s Studies’ is regarded as a relatively recent offspring of much older body of feminist theory & reflects progressive social awareness of equality and discrimination issues. Men’s Studies is usually pro-feminist & based on the recognition that conventional patriarchal masculinity is not the norm, the default mode, but is also socially constructed and therefore can be changed. One of the most interesting sites on men, masculinities and gender politics iswww.xyonline.net
Whilst the development of men’s studies has a number of parallels with feminism there are also some striking differences. For example, although it is recognized that being a man ( ‘gene pool & cash machine’ as it has been bitterly expressed) carries its own performance burdens it is difficult to make a serious case for saying that men have been oppressed by the matriarchy in terms of their access to the political, economic and other assets of their respective societies.
In recognition of this fact many men resist the ‘me-too-ism’ of the establishment of such features as an International Men’s Day though this is in fact observed in Trinidad & Tobago on 19 November each year.
As an extension of the belief that masculinity as well as femininity is socially constructed & can be de-constructed male involvement in gender equality issues is reflected in support for increasing the numbers of women in decision-making (as has happened recently in Norway and Spain), support for ending the gender pay gap and so forth, as well as for more equable distribution of tasks in other areas.
Contemporary men’s movements have indeed been concerned with a shared role in parenting though this has often surfaced in the context of custody after divorce rather than in wanting a larger share of the daily grind. Fathers4 Justice (fathers-4-justice.org) and Fathers Direct (fathersdirect.com) are amongst the most visible of these initiatives.
Men’s Studies and men’s movements have been accused of ignoring gay men and of having little to say about the impact of race, ethnicity and socio-economic class on definitions of masculinity.
The same complaints were raised of early feminists (See Feminisms on this site). Whilst initially feminism was in the hands of educated white women other socio-economic and ethnic groups have contributed to the partially diverging and partially converging threads in the overall movement.
The acronym MSM - Men who have Sex with Men - has been deployed most frequently in the context of campaigns against HIV/AIDS which was treated initially in many countries as a ‘gay’ disease.
The inclusion of male perpetrators in the treatment of Gender-based Violence is a very positive development pioneered by Sweden & other Nordic countries in recognition of the fact that providing shelter for the victims and punishment for the perpetrators is a short-term solution when most incidents of violence take place between people who are already closely related. (See Gender & Violence on this site).
Media have been very influential in raising public interest and awareness of men & masculinities,
in terms of recognizing the value of relationships between men as ‘buddies’ (Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid), as exploring their new feminine side (Three Men & a Baby), and as sexual partners (Brokeback Mountain).
One of the most innovative television shows recognizing some of the stereotypical qualities of gay men to be usefully adopted by heterosexual men in their pursuit of relations with the ‘opposite sex’ has been Queer Eye for a Straight Guy . The approach has been summarized in the book of the show as turning an ‘everyman frog into an every-girl’s-dream-prince’ by providing advice on dressing, grooming, manners, cooking, home decoration & overall lifestyle! (www.tv.com)