When interrogating men’s rights activism, it is imperative to explore the historical context upon which it emerged. Formally established in the 1970’s, the men’s liberation movement rose as a means to address social equity issues primarily affecting men. The objective of social equity as a main principle in the men’s liberation movement was heavily influenced by the anti-oppression political landscape carved out by the first and second wave feminist movements. As such, early men’s liberation movements maintained parallel social visions to feminist groups, committed to provoking social change and progress. In this way, men’s liberation groups exclusively promoted the idea of social liberty, de-centering gender as the sole catalyst of the movement. …show more content…
Generating social networks under the guise of male oppression, men’s rights activists collectivize their knowledge and power in pursuit of re-establishing normative social order. Although men’s rights activist groups have gained immense momentum amongst men, they have been subjected to great criticism and scrutiny, framed as organizations that maintain historical underpinnings in a number of ideological systems designed to subordinate women. Similar critiques have also been articulated by scholars who deem that men’s liberation groups are predicated upon masculinist philosophies, many of which are contrived to dismantle feminist liberation. Considering this, men’s right activists are recognized as organizations firmly grounded in anti-feminist thought, seeking to regain power and privilege amidst a crisis of masculinity. Particularly through the dissemination of us vs. them discourse and homophobic narratives of manhood, contemporary men’s rights organizations explicitly aim to uphold hetero-patriarchal social …show more content…
The exploration of this case has great value in the analysis of contemporary men’s rights groups, exemplifying the pervasiveness and persistence of anti-feminist backlash in many sects of the men’s rights movements. This allows for a wider acknowledgement of the fact that anti-feminist discourse is also often able to seek resurgence through covert means in MRA groups.
Kimmel, M. S. (2000). Masculinity as Homophobia: Fear, Shame, and Silence in the Construction of Gender Identity. Theorizing Masculinities,119-141. doi:10.4135/9781452243627.n7
Kimmel asserts the idea that traditional masculinity is inherently homophobic, illuminating the ways in which feminine traits in men give rise to taunting criticisms by male peers. In the case of men's rights activist organizations, many of which are deeply embedded in the masculine identity, homophobic discourse is pursued as a mechanism to disempower men, emasculating them through the notion that if they do not maintain a vested interest in male supremacy, they are not “real men”. Intentionally provoking masculine anxieties, homophobic discourse ultimately works to restore the idea of a naturalized gender order, gaining the support of men fearful of existing beyond the bounds of normative hegemonic
140). Hegemonic masculinity alludes to the stratification and interpretations of masculinity and, progressive systems of force, power, and acknowledgement among men, and amongst men and women (Connell, 1993). “International research has strongly confirmed the initial insight that gender orders construct multiple masculinities” (Connell, & Messerschmidt, 2005, p. 835). At any point in time, one type of masculinity can be socially elevated and more prominent in social settings (Connell, 1993). Hegemonic masculinity is the arrangement of gender stereotypes that encapsulates the current acknowledged response to the issue of the authenticity of patriarchy—which ensures the predominant position of men and the subordination of women (Connell, 1997). Furthermore, a considerable body of research shows that masculinities are not simply different but also subject to change” (Connell, & Messerschmidt, 2005, p. 835). “Hegemonic gender norms set expectations about what is “appropriate” for men and women” (Friedman, 2015, p. 147). For example, in our neoliberal capitalist culture men and women are bombarded with marketing that supports hegemonic masculinity and defines what being a man or woman should look like. “Hegemonic masculinity was understood as the pattern of practice (i.e., things done, not just a set of role expectations or an identity) that
Social movements refer to informal groups of people who focus on either political or social issues. The goal of the social movement is to change things in society, to refuse to go along with the norm, and to undo a social change. For example, the Women’s Rights Movement that began in the 1840s was geared towards getting women more equality in relation to political, social, and economic status in society (Foner). Along with this, women gained a louder voice to speak out about what they wanted to change and implemented the change. Prior to the Women’s Rights Movement, women were often timid, compliant, obedient, and mistreated. After the 1920s, a movement towards more equality was shifted in society views, however not all were convinced or changed by the new ideas of women. Although women began to get increased rights, the typical gender roles, which they were expected to follow did not loosely lesson. Women still found themselves doing the same gender roles, house roles, and family roles even after the 1920s. It was not until the 1960s when the Feminist movement began (Foner). The literary piece is “Why I Want a Wife” by Judy Brady and the goal of the Feminist Movement was to create new meanings and realities for women in terms of education, empowerment, occupation, sexual identity, art, and societal roles. In short, the Feminist Movement was aimed to gain women freedom, equal opportunity and be in control over their own life.
Aaron Devor’s essay “Becoming Members of Society: Learning the Social Meanings of Gender” describes how despite popular belief, gender and sex are not directly related and how social norms affect individual’s choice of gender. Devor‘s main argument is that gender is not determined by genitalia, but instead by the individual's own choices. Michael Kimmel’s essay “Masculinity as Homophobia” claims that gender equality is a positive thing for males and that social norms force men to act a certain way. Kimmel’s main argument is that men are always having to protect their masculinity in order to prevent themselves from appearing weak. Both authors present compelling arguments for both gender equality and for how social norms influence individuals’ gender choice. However, the two authors approach the same topic in different ways. Kimmel takes a more laid-back approach to the topic by using simple words and a conversational tone that relates to the casual gender sociologist. Devor writes a more sophisticated essay using complex terms and a more formal tone that relates to the serious sociologist that research gender studies.
Meanwhile, masculinity is defined by stigmatizing femininity. They give masculinity a dominant appeal by painting women as gullible and vulnerable. As Breazeale puts it, a “simultaneous exploitation and denial of the feminine” (Breazeale 232) and so “one-dimensional representations of women have resulted from attempts to court men as consumers” (Breazeale
And this exact same message is being shared, perhaps in different ways, all throughout the world; as young men are continuously bombarded with this indication that somehow any feminine quality should be repressed. Society, through avenues of media and other propaganda, has formed a way of thinking for men that causes them, despite always having these feelings internally, to put on an act which inhibits them from openly expressing any type of femininity, especially in public. In Michael S. Kimmel’s work, Masculinity as Homophobia, he reveals the great secret of all men: We are afraid of other men. Kimmel urges the reader to realize that men are grouped int... ...
Media always encourages this type of male cluelessness by always giving the male lead the opportunity to do as he pleases so that his role as male can never feel threatened. In Michael Kimmel’s essay “Masculinity as Homophobia”, he takes a deeper look into the sensitivity and responsibility that comes with holding the title of masculinity and how society teaches boys that their highest form of achievement comes from what’s between their legs. Boys are told to not cry when they get hurt and are given the green light to pull a girl’s braids or push another person around. Manhood is seen as an eternal and essential that resides deep in the heart of every man (58).
‘Women and men are different. Equal treatment of men and women does not result in equal outcomes.’ (Corsten Report, 16: 2007) According to Covington and Bloom (2003) numerous feminist writers have demonstrated and documented the patriarchal nature of our society and the variety of ways in which the patriarchal values serve masculine needs. ‘Despite claims to the contrary, masculinist epistemologies are built upon values that promote masculine needs and desires, making all others invisible’ (Kaschak, 11: 1992).
Every citizen of the United State was grant the right to vote since their birth in the United State or when they passed
According to feminist Victoria L. Bromley, if feminism is about combating all forms of inequalities, including oppression, towards all social groups, then feminists must study how masculinity oppresses both men and women. Patriarchy, men’s powers and dominance, hegemonic masculinity, the idea that the “dominant group” in society is most powerful, and hyper masculinity, the exaggeration of the emphasis on male characteristics, all lead to oppression through multiple forms: privileges and unearned privileges, hierarchies of power and exclusion. Bromley argues that the feminist approach towards eliminating oppression, is to use an intersectional analysis, a theoretical tool used for understanding how multiple identities are connected and how systems
The Women's Rights Movement was a significant crusade for women that began in the late nineteenth century and flourished throughout Europe and the United States for the rest of the twentieth century. Advocates for women's rights initiated this movement as they yearned for equality and equal participation and representation in society. Throughout all of history, the jobs of women ranged from housewives to factory workers, yet oppression by society, particularly men, accompanied them in their everyday lives. Not until the end of the nineteenth century did women begin to voice their frustrations about the inequalities among men and women, and these new proclamations would be the basis for a society with opportunities starting to open for women. The supporters of women's rights strived for voting rights, equal pay in jobs, no job discrimination, and other privileges that would put them on the same level as men in both society and in the workplace. Starting with the Seneca Falls Declaration in 1848 and continuing through the twentieth century with documents like the United Nations Declaration of Women's Rights, women became significant leaders that aided in the advancement of twentieth century life and society.
Masculinity is a subject that has been debated in our society for quite some time. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, as it is difficult to define this one –sided term. Pairing this already controversial term with “feminist studies” can bring about some thought - provoking conversation. Feminist studies of men have been around for many years with regards to the feminist movement. It seeks to create gradual improvements to society through its main principle of modifying the ways in which everyone views what it means to be a man. Feminist studies of men bring forth the discussion of hegemonic masculinity; how this contributes to the gender hierarchy, the radicalized glass escalator and ultimately the faults of this theory.
The term “feminism” tends to have a negative connotation in today’s culture. Feminism is now focusing on female dominance and male disrespect. Women are fighting for equality, yet using personal bias to define equality, claiming identical rights for all will produce an equal culture. The mainstream feminist movement is using this corrupted view of equality to force rights of women. Contrary to popular belief, true feminism fights for true equality for women, as well as other people groups. The false view of feminism causes women to distort gender roles, dishonor themselves, and degrade men.
Prior to the 1970s when the theme of gender issues was still quite foreign, the societal norm forced female conformity to male determined standards because “this is a man’s world” (Kerr 406). The patriarchal society painted the image of both men and women accordingly to man’s approach of societal standards that include the defining features of manhood that consist of “gentil...
In just a few decades The Women’s Liberation Movement has changed typical gender roles that once were never challenged or questioned. As women, those of us who identified as feminist have rebelled against the status quo and redefined what it means to be a strong and powerful woman. But at...
Throughout history, women have remained subordinate to men. Subjected to the patriarchal system that favored male perspectives, women struggled against having considerably less freedom, rights, and having the burdens society placed on them that had been so ingrained the culture. This is the standpoint the feminists took, and for almost 160 years they have been challenging the “unjust distribution of power in all human relations” starting with the struggle for equality between men and women, and linking that to “struggles for social, racial, political, environmental, and economic justice”(Besel 530 and 531). Feminism, as a complex movement with many different branches, has and will continue to be incredibly influential in changing lives.