Why Feminism is for men too – Men Talk Feminism

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.

I have two sisters, had a mother, and have nieces, as well as a number female friends and colleagues. Feminism and supporting women's rights is therefore absolutely at the forefront of my life. Why wouldn't it be for any man? If it wasn't I would need to question my own values and morals. I want the very best for the women I know just as I want the very best for the men I know. Unequal relationships, in the worse case scenario, can lead to an abuse of power, which I have seen first-hand. So my view is that it's relevance is staring all men in the face. Men need to take responsibility to fight inequality and the oppression of women in all forms, and that includes casual sexism, misogyny, and negative views of women in general. How can equality be achieved if men don't play their part and advocate for women's rights.

When men embrace feminism, i.e. feminist thinking, then their relationship with their partner and women in general, will benefit from the mutual growth that an equal relationship brings, and helps to develop better communication, shared responsibilities and avoids the outdated view of the 'man of the household'. Which ultimately leads to a more fulfilled relationship. But it's equally important in a work environment, to ensure men and women are on an equal footing, avoiding resentment and creating a fair and level playing field. It also helps to remove the expectations often put on men from an early age, to be the breadwinner, to be the man of the house. Equality therefore leads to happier, healthier relationships, which will invariably benefit men.

Not to the same level I do now. I've become far more aware through life experience, age - seeing the negative effects of sexism, misogyny, inequality in the work place. It's made it obvious to me that to educate/teach our younger generation about feminism is of paramount importance, so that old/outdated views of women are not allowed to fester/develop. I've also seen the recent push-back against feminism from various groups, and I think that needs to be addressed and opposed by men, i.e. to take the time to explain to a friend or colleague who suggests that "feminism has gone too far", for example, why they are wrong. This has strengthened my stance on feminism and my desire to fight/argue against any anti-feminist rhetoric.

men are the leading perpetrators of violence, especially gbv, and patriarchy is the source of gender inequalities. by following and practising feminist principles and methodologies, not only can men stop violence and inequalities but also they become better individuals, partners, fathers, and colleagues.

when men finally raise awareness and take action about gender inequalities and when they learn from women ans lgbti, they can help to stop violence ana inequalities and make better role models for future generations.

not exactly, up until my mid 30s, i was an average man, partly conscious about inequalites but unable to recognize how much i am part of the problem. by talking to my feminist friends and critically assessing my own behaviors, i came to think that men must be a part of the solution, too.

Feminism is relevant to men because people are people and if there are groups that start off with a disadvantage just for being what they are, then everyone should do everything they can to help and change that.

Feminism benefits men because empowered women on a level playing-field can be great role models and have a lot that men can learn from.

I've always embraced feminism. The women around me when I as growing up always spoke their minds and made sure, one way or another, they weren't left behind or pushed aside. To me, it's mind-blowing that there are men out there that deny and reject feminism. As I tend to look at people as exactly that, people, and not stick them in gender-based categories, I'm lost for words that we even have to talk about this.´In my world, this inequality based on gender wouldn't exist. Yes, it might sound idealistic, but I cannot comprehend how people would treat someone differently, because of their gender (or colour or height or accent or whatever!).

We as men have a privellege not to see the harms of our actions within a patriarchal society, we get to choose if we engage or not. Feminism is many things, but for men, it can be a tool to learning. By understanding our own experiences and how we move in the world - how these movements impact the women around us, including those we know and love; we begin to see that the casual misogynistic behaviour, the power imbalances and the toxicity of much of the masculinities we see and experience, they affect us too. Patriarchy, often does not benefit the majority of men, but rather causes serious harm that usually gets played further out into the world through physical and emotional violence, against different genders adn within male communities. We are not hapless victims though, we have the ability to stand against it, and that is where feminism comes in, to teach and educate.

Feminism, and the grass roots work of many millions of women, holds a mirror to the systems that we live in and under and constantly seeks to challenge the personal and social harms that are caused, statistically, mostly by men. The benefit of feminism for men, is that it opens up pathways for us to do our own transformative work and take accountability for the harm that we have undoubtedly caused. Feminism can free us of the shackles of violent patriarchal masculinity, not only fostering a hopefully safer world for women, but allowing us to experience and share our emotions, thoughts and feelings fully as the complex beings we are. So many men I speak to are repressed, unhappy and afraid but cannot understand why. Feminism for me helps to show that there is a world beyond the macho bullshit that we are violently thrust into. Feminism offers freedom and equality for all genders.

In my heart yes. In my head, no. I have argued many stupid points in my life, including "not all men" and "why am I hated for just being born a man? I'm a nice guy." Unpicking my former self has been an experience. I have had to challenge my defensiveness and understand my place in the world through my many privelleges. It has taken me years to understand intersectional feminism, and I have argued against it, but I knew i had to challenge my thinking and learn further, and I'm very glad I have. It has been a difficult journey and by no means am I a perfect man nor a perfect feminist. The process is continual, learning does not stop. None of this would have been possible without the help of a very dear friend who always challenged me but also listened to my shit and helped unpack it. I am eternally grateful for her words, kindness and support. I hope to do the same for the men around me.