As you answered NO or NOT SURE… there are understandable reasons for that (you might think it is a women’s movement by and for women, you might think feminism is no longer needed nowadays, you might feel feminism paints men as the enemy, you might not know “how to” be a feminist man or other reasons).
And here is the other side of the argument.
Check out why men like you think Feminism is for men too and make up your own mind!
Do you accept the challenge? Just scroll down….
08/09/2024 14:10
#75
By Eduardo - 28yo from Mexico
1. Why is Feminism relevant to men?
The current system harms both men and women; while women definitely have it worst, men are also stripped from parts of the human experience that are deemed "girly", like being open about emotions or showing weakness. We are also imposed expectations about our financial earnings, that put most men under tremendous strain specially when it has become clear that very few are able to reach this imaginary goal.
2. How does Feminism benefit men?
In my personal experience, it has improved my relationships with all women greatly. It has also allowed me to filter out people in mt life that I don't agree with ideologically. Most of all, it has allowed me to be in touch with parts of my personality that I had previously buried because they are deemed not manly enough. I am able to embrace who I am and understand others better.
3. Have you always embraced Feminism? If not, what changed your mind?
I've always been aware of the ideology, but didn't embrace it until a series of very awful events in my country triggered a massive wave of attention to the feminists protests going on. Most women in my life at the time, even if they didn't identify with feminism themselves, shared with me their experiences as women and it was eye opening to me. I then started doing ressearch and reading on the topic on my own.
Are you a (pro-)feminist man? Together, let's increase visibility for why Feminism is for men too!
Share your perspective
and speak to your fellow men.
02/07/2024 01:19
#74
By Brian - 34yo from United States
1. Why is Feminism relevant to men?
Feminism is relevant to men because feminism is the only liberating ideology that can free men from the suffering we endure under patriarchy. We think patriarchy benefits us, and it does in some ways, but it also costs us a lot by keeping us trapped away from developing as full human beings, and not just men hungry for power or authority because we're taught to associate those things with masculinity.
2. How does Feminism benefit men?
Feminism benefits men by calling upon us to step into our full humanity instead of simply living within a rather stifling and dehumanizing conception of masculinity. Men are improved and liberated by feminism, if we can rise to the responsibility and vulnerability that comes with honest reflection in the pursuit of a better way of life. Not only for women, but for women, children, trans people and all members of the LGBTQ+ community. I learned in The Creation of Patriarchy by Gerda Lerner (1986) that patriarchal bias (sexism) may be the oldest form of discrimination and subjugation in human history. It predates race and class as divisive categorizations. Therefore, if we rise to a feminist understanding of masculinity, we are better equipped to confront race and class bias too.
3. Have you always embraced Feminism? If not, what changed your mind?
I haven't always embraced feminism. Like most men born and raised in patriarchal societies, or like people born in colonial nations that hide their history, I was unaware of the extensive and historical suffering of women. It was not covered in history books in school. Only when I began self-educating by seeking out books that got to the roots of these structural issues of white supremacy, patriarchy, and classism, was I able to begin opening my mind to the truth that women have been subdued by Western society for thousands of years. Now I consider myself a feminist, through and through. I believe that the only path to collective liberation includes a feminist foundation. Sexual bias is the oldest, it has inspired race and class bias. I firmly believe now that feminism is perhaps the only way we can save our species from itself.
"I’ve really enjoyed reading other peoples opinions, it’s certainly a great learning platform. To see all these opinions on one page will definitely provoke a lot of thought."
Ben Bostridge
02/01/2024 10:46
#73
By Jindy - 46yo from Germany
1. Why is Feminism relevant to men?
My understanding of feminism is as a belief in fairness, dignity and justice for all, regardless of any signifiers of identity. This applies to everyone - all genders, races, social classes and so on.
2. How does Feminism benefit men?
Men have a vested interest in supporting feminism (as I understand it) as it creates a better and fairer world for everyone, as well as emancipating men from narrow and outdated ideas of masculinity.
3. Have you always embraced Feminism? If not, what changed your mind?
Not always. I was raised in a 'dual patriarchal' culture - British and Indian. I took on some unhealthy ideas about gender (which I now understand happens unconsciously at a very young age). However, I also have a deep belief in fairness and justice, that I seem to have been born with, and after a few years in manhood, began to question and challenge the gender roles that are restrictive and damaging for everyone. This has ultimately led to my work now in facilitating men's groups and conversations and researching masculinity to enable everyone to challenge the status quo which is harming men, society and the planet. More details here: https://www.leaderbrotherson.com/
06/04/2023 16:36
#72
By Bjoern - 50yo from Germany
1. Why is Feminism relevant to men?
It is our common society - and thus gender justice should naturally be our common concern (just as it is the concern of all of us to eliminate discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or religion etc.). To say that feminism is irrelevant ... yes, basically to say that one is not a feminist means that one accepts and approves of patriarchal power relations and restrictions based on role models.
In this respect, the question is rather: Why does someone think that feminism could be irrelevant for them?
2. How does Feminism benefit men?
Where to start? Gender stereotypes and traditional male socialisation ultimately cause men to lose contact with their feelings, their inner impulses, their worries and needs, but also longings and desires - which per se already makes one more susceptible to psychological and physical problems and also often manifests itself in unsatisfactory relationships (with women, other men, our children and above all ourselves) or in increased addiction and suicide rates. Or to put it more succinctly: Liberation from the constant pressure to be the superman! Isn't that enough?
3. Have you always embraced Feminism? If not, what changed your mind?
I think I've always suffered from gender stereotypes, even as a boy, but until I started studying psychology I don't think I even knew what feminism was. But then it only took a few books and a few conversations with fellow feminist students - and it was clear to me that this was "my movement" ... and it has always remained so for the last 30 years: my life, my work, my mission.
10/01/2023 18:34
#71
By Adam - 53yo from United Kingdom
1. Why is Feminism relevant to men?
How men and women relate surely relevant to us all. And improving that. Thus better understanding. More equality. More fairness. It's very complicated though and can seem like a threat or like giving a lot up. Or losing identity...
2. How does Feminism benefit men?
Better outcomes for all. Stronger relationships. More happiness. Better state of being. What type of man wants to be in a dominant one-sided relationship built around himself. What type of man doesn't want to learn how to and enjoy cooking or take his share of domestic chores or have a downtrodden partner not allowed to realise her potential.
3. Have you always embraced Feminism? If not, what changed your mind?
Always. Though some periods more than other as - arguably- goes the fashion. I was a feminist in theory in the Loaded Magazine era. There are also some areas of feminism that are harder to side with or understand or appear more extreme. Feminism is a broad term and quite nuanced in its theories or implementation. Men aren't to blame for everything and the world's problems wouldn't be solved by removing men from the equation or exclusively women in power. Also societal wrongs take time to change.