The new wave of feminism in the UK needs to pay attention to the increasing crisis in masculinity, argues Siobhan Bligh.
Siobhan Bligh is interested in social equality, and volunteers with LGBT rights groups in Sheffield. She is a feminist and civil-rights campaigner.
The new wave of feminism in the UK needs to pay attention to the increasing crisis in masculinity. It should not only pay attention to this crisis, but make efforts to combat problems men face with masculinity in society and culture. This is because feminism, and the egalitarian goals it seeks, will benefit from a healthier cultural attitude towards men and masculinity.
This is not to say that feminists focusing on the institutional and structural oppression of women should simply shift their gaze from female to male oppression. But, feminists should offer support for groups and organisations that aim to construct a psychologically and socially healthy masculinity for men to work within. A healthy masculinity is one which is not based upon the belittlement of femininity and women.
Whilst femininity is a construct that many women do not relate to, it bears an intimate relationship with attitudes towards women, and thus affects attitudes towards women. It is true to say that when femininity is respected by both men and women then feminism will be closer to its goal of gender equality.
Whilst “men’s rights” groups perpetuate misogyny and male power, feminists can help both genders, by shifting a small amount of focus to men. This crisis in masculinity manifests itself in several ways. Initially one can look at the cold hard statistics surrounding men’s lives in modern Britain. According to a 2012 report from the Office For National Statistics, men in Britain are more likely to be involved in substance abuse, be homeless, commit suicide, or have broken and shallow relationships.
Some men’s rights groups have linked this to an increase in women’s rights and the feminist movement, but this is an argument which is as poor as it is absurd. Men are not suffering because women are facing less oppression. Rather, men are suffering from a rigid, gendered world, in which an unachievable masculine identity is constantly reinforced to men from a young age. This ideal is one on which physical strength, emotional stoicism, wealth and power are idolised. Importantly for feminist, this masculine ideal also ridicules feminity, and thus contributes to women’s oppression. The MP Diane Abbott is right to say that in Britain there is a:
“culture of hyper-masculinity – a culture that exaggerates masculinity in the face of a perceived threat to it. At its worst, it’s a celebration of heartlessness; a lack of respect for women’s autonomy; and the normalisation of homophobia.”
To understand the importance of combating the crisis in masculinity, we must look at the role of cultural prescriptions of gender, and how it tailors men to act in our society. This affects the way that men act, the way they think about themselves, their identities, and it affects the way they relate to women. The more we look at societal expectations and demands of men, the more we realise that these ideals must be relaxed, and that cultural representations and expectations of men must change.
Men are constantly told from a young age to “man-up”. This means to remain strong, emotionless, cruel and often self-serving. As the American psychologist Judy Chu argues, young men will often be confused and alienated from both themselves and their loved ones, by an ideal that ridicules any form of feminity and emotions. What we must aim for is a healthy masculinity, in much the same way feminists would want women to have a healthy femininity. Whilst these ideals may be social constructions, they still guide people in the way they see themselves and others, and therefore it is imperative to promote a healthy gender culture for both men and women.
55 Responses to “Opinion: “Man-up” – The need for feminists to tackle the crisis in masculinity”
edtastic
“Whilst “men’s rights” groups perpetuate misogyny and male power, feminists can help both genders, by shifting a small amount of focus to men.”
A small amount of focus? What the hell happened to half? This isn’t gender equality you are talking about it’s sexist self serving jargon meant to demonize the other half of the population you are competing with for power and resources. The feminist movement has become a campaign of hatred against men that works to undermine males anyway it can. It perceives men who care for men as a threat to it’s own interest and demand all sexes focus on the primacy of women above all else. People are sick of being ruled by nasty bigots who encourage gender divisions for their own status and power.
People should eject from office anyone who hates men or side with feminist who hate them. The war was declared long ago and equality minded people need to take a stand against the ideologues who demagogue gender.
Tracheal
What do you do all that heavy lifting for I wonder? Once upon a time we at least got some respect for said heavy lifting. Now all we have are bigoted bitches who bite the hands that feed em.
Tracheal
The whole feminist ideology is anti-male to the core. It’s aimed directly at destroying male/masculine identity at the core. And so far it seems to be working ‘admirably’ well…at least if one is a feminist Gender Bigot. White heterosexual males are the new ‘N’ word.
Ivan
Do you conceder sexist laws ineffective and harmless? Our fathers did nothing and western society value political correctness over fairness. Feelings over truth.
Slaves do heavy lifting because masters are smarter. Are you a slave?
Tyler
This is a very insightful article that identifies the need for reconceptualization of masculinity and femininity, which are socially defined (it’s a fact). It has to do with gender roles, not biological sex. The author advocates for a possible solution to problems that men’s groups have identified: aggression, violence, isolation, and a small range of acceptable emotions. The multitude of angry comments on this website do nothing but prove the author right. Instead of responding to the article, the hateful comments come from aggression, fear of undefined gender roles, and pure ignorance. If there is no masculinity crisis, the comments would consist of meaningful discussion toward a solution, not hateful speech and labeling all feminists and anyone who criticizes traditional gender roles as man haters. To do so is to be completely oblivious to what feminism is and relies on stereotypes. Wake up people! If you are one of those that posted such illiterate, irrelevant, hateful comments on this site, you are doing nothing but hurting our society. Before you can criticize feminism, you must know what it is first. Read a fucking book! Also, in response to the idiotic, dated argument that “you have to be a male to criticize masculinity,” that’s like saying that you can’t help a child unless you are a child. Men and women can work together to solve problems, and to think that men are alone in this masculinity crisis with hate speech is like waving your arms and yelling, “me! I’m experiencing an extreme form of this masculinity crisis! I’m a product of a dysfunctional culture! I am a victim! There’s a problem but let’s not solve it-instead let’s bash women!” Perhaps the first issue we need to solve is the crisis of ignorance!