Why Feminism is for men too – Men Talk Feminism

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.

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.

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.

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.

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(as I understand it) as it creates a better and fairer world for everyone, as well as emancipating men from narrow and outdated ideas of masculinity.

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/

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?

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?

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.

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...

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.

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.

Feminism is relevant to because when I let go of my traditional views of masculinity and my obsession with meeting the criteria, I was able to finally figure out who I actually was. I was able to figure out MY OWN identity instead of "Buff, Sports, Cars, Wrestling" dad I was able to become the "Kid safe, responsible, community oriented, caring/compassionate." Man I was always meant to be. It took the burden of doing phenomenal in life right off of my shoulders and I was able to look inside and see my own ambitions and goals and set myself on a realistic and ambition filled path as opposed to the "super worker, extremely strong, cold" parent that I and so many of you young man had/have.

It has allowed me to leave the hamster wheel that is meeting the masculine criteria. It has allowed me to be comfortable in my own skin. I don't have to go to sleep thinking about losing weight or doing more than expected, or giving giving giving without receiving. It has allowed me to set NECCESARY boundaries in friendships and relationships.

I never truly knew what it was until more recently when I decided to check and realized it was a party that I personally resonated with already, feminism just put my thoughts into words and that is what let me know that I am a feminist. Give feminism a try. Read about it first so you don't feel like an imposter. It benefits young/old men just as much as it benefits any other marginalized group.