Why Feminism is for men too – Men Talk Feminism

If as men we aren't part of the solution, then we are part of the problem. I believe that all men need to be part of the conversation and action around Feminism and gender equity.

The masculine trope is harmful to men, and so men as well as women can benefit from Feminism, from de-masculinising the norms and power structures of how society is run.

Yes, since I was a teenager I have had strong role modeling from the women in my life to stand up and speak out against discrimination towards women. Silence is tolerance.

It is relevant to men because equality is relevant to men. If we are after true equality, then I believe that all men should be feminists. I know there is so much stigma and emasculation around feminism but I truly believe that it makes you into a well-rounded human being. Whether you have a woman in your life that you care about or not, it is still relevant to you as it combats toxic masculinity.

As I said previously, it helps to dismantle Toxic Masculinity, it opens up spaces for men to express who they are without judgement of being hyper masculine all of the time. Emotions are not feminine and Strength is not masculine, it is all a part of being a full human being. I think without both, we sometimes suffer as men. I am aware that there are times that it is not best to show your emotions and you want to remain strong but with the right people, in the right time, it is okay to not be okay. It is okay to cry. It is okay to admit that you need help. And that's what I feel like feminism has done.

Frankly, no. I embraced the idea of feminism but not the name. As a 12-year-old, being surrounded by other lynx-wearing, bravado-driven boys, you want to assert your dominance in one way or another. Despite being severely bullied in school, I still wanted to fit in in some way, so I denied my feminist views by laughing at the name. I have been brought up to be a feminist without even knowing it. My mum and dad both strongly believe in gender equality and it has been evident in how they raised me and in their marriage. I love them dearly as well as my grandmothers and aunties who are feminist icons in my humble opinion. Watching content creators like Lilly Singh really helped me to understand more about feminism and now I am so passionate about it. I believe that all men should be actively using their privilege to uplift women's voices.

The equality in our society is out of balance due to the way men have fabricated it, there for it is for us men to use our unfair advantage to help make a change

It relieves them of the broken social pressures that have been placed on them to be a certain type of person, giving them freedom to a place in an equal society.

Only recently I’ve embraced it, previously I supported it, now I feel more comfortable to be a part of it

Because it is men who benefit from the oppression of women- the dismantling of that manufactured way of things being is relevant to everyone.

It frees men from the ideas that exist at the root of patriarchy about the role and expression of masculinity in the world as well as creating a world in which the women men interact with on a daily basis are free, safe and without burden

Tbh being brought up in a matriarchal Caribbean family I’d say it’s hard not to see the need for / to not agree with feminism - even if you don’t have the language for it.

The Patriarchy hurts everyone. It's the reason little boys are told they mustn't cry. It's reason why men can't share their feelings and consequently suicide is the biggest killer of young men. It's the reason men have to spend so much of their live being scared of showing weakness in front of other men who have been taught that "might is right". It's the reason that so many men are the victims of Male Violence.

The cure for The Patriarchy and the Toxic Masculinity it causes is Feminism. Too many men wrongly believe that "Feminism" is about "making things better for women at the expense of men" but the opposite is true. A world where men, women and Non Binary people are all equal and all have equity is a world where we all benefit. Men would no longer have to live up to all the macho bullshit that ruins so many male (as well as female and non binary) lives.

I grew up racist, sexist, homophobic, misogynistic & ableist. I was a product of my environment. We grow up repeating tropes to fit in with our contemporaries. Even if you don't actually believe that say cat calling women is ok it takes a very brave person to "spoil all the other guy's fun". We all want to belong to "our tribe". For me it was just the realisation that I didn't *have* to cling to my conditioning. From there I just started to look with less forgiving eyes on my past conduct and behaviour and made the decision to try to be better. There is no shame in being taught to behave badly but there is a terrible shame in not wanting to make the effort to be better. From there I started reading more & came to the realisation that Feminism actually sets men free from a lot of horrible stuff. Which is a bonus.