Gender and concepts of masculinity strongly shape feminist men’s experience as feminists in a world that considers them to be neither real men, nor real feminists, writes Rosalie Scolari.
When you opt to conduct academic research on a controversial topic, I have discovered you are not in for an easy ride.
In my case, I was fighting against decades of feminist research, by arguing that there are men who deserve to be seen as legitimate, committed feminists, and deserve a position of camaraderie in our quest for women’s rights.
Now, this is not an easy thing to do when feminism is often marked for “women-only”, or defined in the competitive terms of male versus female privilege.
Any utterance about my research was met with a barrage of catch cries, often from women, demanding: What right do men have to muscle in on what is about and for us? Isn’t feminism and men a contradiction of terms? Or my personal favourite: If anything with a pecker actually truly gave a shit about me, my rights and my body, I would hand over my first born and join the circus.
For me, however, looking at worthy men, and seeing and accepting them as feminists, was conflict-free. Because of how I choose to define feminism, and what I consider its goals to be, the connection between feminism and men was no more controversial than the connection between feminism and women.
What does a feminist look like?
It is important to remember that the terms “feminist” and “woman” are not synonymous. Similar to Simone de Beauvoir’s observation that one is not born a woman, but rather, society creates women, academics like Judith Butler and Judith Grant, suggest that the experiences of women are not necessarily indicative of the standpoint of a feminist.
Rather, it is only with what Grant calls an “interpretive feminist lens,” that women’s experiences come to be part of feminism. In other words, feminism may claim to speak for all women, but not all women speak for feminism.
Despite this obvious truth, the association of feminism with women is overwhelming. Over the years, numerous authors have proposed various definitions of feminism.
While there are often ideological disagreements over exactly what a feminist should stand for, there appears to be some general agreement that since men cannot experience women’s oppression, they cannot be feminists.
I find the experience argument problematic. I just need to compare my own experience as a white, western, middle-class, queer, 26-year-old woman to any women not of the same race, class, country, sexuality or age, to understand that I could not possibly experience oppression like others.
Perspectives and knowledge of all people, regardless of gender, are partial and situated. A full understanding of oppression requires that we recognise these multiple realities, each valid from the perspective of those having the experiences.
It is experience that also shapes men’s relationship to feminism, with some forming a feminist worldview after objecting to the sexism they see around them, reflecting on their own sexist behaviour, or when they have experienced oppression themselves (often racism or homophobia).
Take a story from one of my research participants for example:
“I was sexually assaulted by a group of boys, not long after I came out in year 12. It was a crime of hate ... I know what it feels like to be violated, to have your rights stripped away, to be oppressed daily. Understanding and relating to women’s oppression has always been easy ... and I will do everything in my power to fight for a world where their safety and rights are never compromised.” (Dan)
Women have been burnt, however, and some reject men as feminists because of personal experiences with so-called feminist men, who have turned out to be phallocentric misogynists.
Sadly I too have had encounters with such types, and it is very disheartening. However, I feel much the same when the likes of Girls of the Playboy Mansion, or the delightful (insert sarcasm here) Sarah Palin declare themselves as feminists too.
I wanted to see the pathways men travelled to become feminist, and how this act shapes their lives.
For my honours research I gathered the social, personal and theoretical reflections of 12, self-identified feminist men (six being heterosexual, five being homosexual and one identifying as “queer”).
These men see feminism as a social movement that seeks equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of gender. To them, it is a political perspective that uses gender to critically analyse power – who has it, who doesn’t, who abuses it and why.
Let’s take Nick for example: Nick is a 27-year-old vegan, who works in a music store. Nick believes girls and women should not be raped, abused, discriminated against, and should have control over their own bodies.
Feminism provided him with the tools to start thinking critically about his gender and his unearned privileges as a heterosexual white male. As a result, he tries in his everyday life to avoid doing things that oppress other people, and he attempts to confront oppression when he sees it.
Nick an active member of various communities and organisations that fight for women’s rights.
Now, while many feminist women may find no conflict, and may even applaud Nick’s convictions, the problem often lies in the adoption of the term “feminist”, which “was not designed for men, it was designed because of them.”
So, what is in a name?
While some men who recognise problems of gender oppression, misogyny, sexism and the politics of domination take a stand by identifying as feminists, others call themselves pro-feminists, feminist allies or even menists.
Although I personally see actions as more important than labels, I recognise, like the men in my study, that labels can be used as a powerful display of our politics. Therefore I see the bold, political act of identifying as a feminist, as a profound act of solidarity.
“I call myself a feminist because for me, it politically makes a lot of sense. Sex and gender binaries need to go, and in my ideal world, anyone who believes in equal treatment of the sexes can call themselves a feminist. I think if men can’t call themselves feminists, then perhaps feminism will always been seen as something that only women should care about.” (James)
Gender, masculinity and femininity
The most important issue that the men face, however, is around the topics of gender and masculinity.
The men in my study adopted the feminist view of sex/gender and worked with the concept in the same way feminists have since Ann Oakley’s ground-breaking work in 1972.
Sex basically refers to our biology: what’s between our legs when we are born. Gender is taught and reinforced through institutional arrangements that tell us how men and women “should” behave.
In other words, gender is about the social construction of masculine and feminine, or in act of resistance to these, genderqueer identity.
“We might come into this world with a penis or a vagina, but we’re not born wanting to fix things or carry a purse.” (Shaun)
Our ideas about masculinity and femininity run deep and are reinforced, in part, because of something called dichotomous thinking, or dualistic epistemology.
This means we think in terms of binaries; good/evil, light/dark, love/hate, male/female, and so forth. As discussed by Nick, there are many unexamined presuppositions we have about masculinity and what it means to be a guy:
“Look, ask people what they associate with masculinity and there is a pretty good chance they will say thing like; strong, unemotional, providers and protectors. Men are supposed to be the ones who open the jars, fix things, kill the spiders and so forth. Fuck knows where that leaves me, I hate spiders.”
All 12 of my participants rejected traditional ideals of masculinity and struggled with being the men they wanted to be, and being the men they were expected to be. Jim’s story was particularly interesting:
“I grew up Mormon. Even when I was young I knew what kind of boy I should have been; one that wanted to help my father make pig pens and chop wood. It was clear that I was the wrong kind of boy and my brother was the right kind. I wanted to stay indoors with mum and chat and help her cook. My brother went exploring, hunting and helping Dad with the chores. My father would shake his head with disapproval at me and say things like ‘You will end up a fag the way you are going’. I wasn’t a fag, I just didn’t identify with that particular kind of masculinity. Still don’t.”
Jim’s story recounts familiar themes for feminists; he has demonstrated how particular gender roles are constructed and others discouraged.
It is also an indication of the strange link often assumed in society between sexual orientation and gender behaviour. With all 12 men reporting attacks on their masculinity (by being “sissy boys”) and sexuality (by being “fags”), it is clear that homophobia works hand in hand with heterosexuality, and becomes another glaring trait of the ideal masculinity.
By identifying as both feminist and men, my participants are stretching the definition of man, rather than enforcing the construction of stereotypical gender roles.
Perhaps they are still upholding the gender binary, but they are pushing it. In addition they are reconstructing and rethinking the technology of gender by pluralising and opening up the term man, to encompass more kinds of men.
As Australian social scientist R.W Connell (herself formally male) argues, there is no one true version of masculine identity, instead, there are aspects of, and multiple ways of performing masculinities.
Women’s hostile responses to feminist men
I went into these interviews knowing that these men would not have necessarily received warm support from feminist women, some of whom are deeply distrustful of all men; most of whom are wary of men’s power, and all whom make a political commitment to solidarity to women.
So, while these men do share positive relationships with feminist women, hostile encounters had been experienced by all participants.
Riley, for example, discussed being yelled at by a female university lecturer for putting up posters advertising a fundraiser for the on-campus women’s collective.
Tim shared his experience of when at a Women and Climate Change seminar, several women announced that his presence was “inappropriate and made them feel uncomfortable.”
Shaun was called an “ignoramus” by a female acquaintance when wearing his “This is what a feminist looks like” t-shirt.
John talked of his exclusion from a “women-only” violence against women protest: When he explained to organisers that he would really like to attend because he was a feminist and strongly opposed violence against women, he was told “[You will] make all the women feel unsafe as you represent every wife basher and rapist out there.”
Within third-wave feminism, radical/separatist feminism has a complex and often vexed place. It is undoubtedly a difficult and distressing part of the movement for my participants. Even when they understood the reasons or their exclusion, they still hoped they would be made an exception to the rule:
“I know women need their own spaces, groups and organisations. I can see the need to sometimes exclude men. Rationally in my head I know these women-only zones are what ensure that women run the feminist movement, as it should be. But every time I get shat on, every time I get told to piss of, I can’t help but feel wounded. Because it reinforces that they see me as a man, not the kind of man I see myself.” (Nick)
These men want to be judged on their merit, not on their membership to a particular group, in their case, men.
Time for change
In my view, the position that men cannot be feminists is based on the same male-female dichotomy that underlies patriarchy.
I believe the time has come to reject this artificial boundary and move beyond it, as it is working against feminist objectives: it sets up boundaries beyond which men need not go; it excuses men from gaining any sort of feminist understanding, and it spares them from having to change anything in their personal lives.
Since men are the primary agents maintaining and supporting sexism and sexist oppression, the system can only be successfully eradicated if men assume responsibility and take action.
Women alone cannot make feminist revolution, and men can provide a tremendous contribution in the area of exposing, confronting, opposing and transforming sexism.
When men show a willingness to assume equal responsibility in the feminist movement, it is my hope that women will acknowledge them as comrades in struggle.
Note: pseudonyms have been used.
Rosalie Scolari is a 26-year-old queer, residing in Melbourne, Australia. Despite having a deep dislike for assignments and a strong love for wine, friends, art and dancing, Rosalie has degrees in sociology (Hons), community development and education. When she is not pretending to be a dedicated student, she is a nanny for two beautiful boys, involved in various social justice campaigns, or more often than not, has her nose in a book.
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written by Boycott American Women, 04 January 2011
Why American men should boycott American women
http://boycottamericanwomen.blogspot.com/
I am an American man, and I have decided to boycott American women. In a nutshell, American women are the most likely to cheat on you, to divorce you, to get fat, to steal half of your money in the divorce courts, don't know how to cook or clean, don't want to have children, etc. Therefore, what intelligent man would want to get involved with American women?
American women are generally immature, selfish, extremely arrogant and self-centered, mentally unstable, irresponsible, and highly unchaste. The behavior of most American women is utterly disgusting, to say the least.
This blog is my attempt to explain why I feel American women are inferior to foreign women (non-American women), and why American men should boycott American women, and date/marry only foreign (non-American) women.
BOYCOTT AMERICAN WOMEN!
written by Boycott American Women, 04 January 2011
Why American men should boycott American women
http://boycottamericanwomen.blogspot.com/
I am an American man, and I have decided to boycott American women. In a nutshell, American women are the most likely to cheat on you, to divorce you, to get fat, to steal half of your money in the divorce courts, don't know how to cook or clean, don't want to have children, etc. Therefore, what intelligent man would want to get involved with American women?
American women are generally immature, selfish, extremely arrogant and self-centered, mentally unstable, irresponsible, and highly unchaste. The behavior of most American women is utterly disgusting, to say the least.
This blog is my attempt to explain why I feel American women are inferior to foreign women (non-American women), and why American men should boycott American women, and date/marry only foreign (non-American) women.
BOYCOTT AMERICAN WOMEN!
written by Carl S, 03 October 2010
written by Kristina, 20 September 2010
written by Ralph, 05 April 2010
At one level, of course it's true that straight men (especially) can't know what the female experience is like. On the other hand, traditional straight married women often have less of a clue than do!
I do understand strident and hostile reactions to men by women who've been hurt. But it's important to get past the hurt and leave room for who believe that some humans should never be considered more human than other humans, and not continue pretending that benevolence toward the humanity of women is determined primarily by the presence or absence of a penis. Thanks again.
written by Kim, 25 March 2010
Same goes for the the Playboy bunnies. I also don't see why these girls should be put down for identitfying themselves with the feminist cause anymore than a man. They may not fit the typical picture of a stuanch feminist but if they chose to dress or look a certain way and are not ashamed of it, then good on them. Who knows? They may even have had to work hard and endure their own battles to get to where they are and feel comfortable in their own image of womanhood.
written by Doctor Mayhem, 24 March 2010
Feminism is tricky - because it sits on the edge of both dismantling gander categories (male, female) and it does this from a position of one very particular, subjugated gender category (the female). I don't think feminism has or can get over this paradox, and I'd like to think that the current crisis in feminism comes from the fact that people aren't quite sure of how to mobilise around a category of 'woman'.
I do believe that feminism is intrinsically linked to challenging all gender oppression, and does allow gender to be expressed as far more than the strict male/female binaries that cultures reinforce.
I also believe that no-one can call themselves a feminist unless they have experienced and are able to socially organise around the gendered experience of being a socialised or socially recognised female (ie passing as women in broader societies and within the female identified groups where we seek to make change). this is only because my understanding of feminism is that it is the collective organisation of the personal experiences of feminine gendering in order to effect social change. the boundaries around this are slippery and constantly change according to the class, race, ethnicity and queerness of the women involved.
I believe trans women and intersex women are part of feminism as much as trans men offer a powerful challenge to masculinity, but I can't see how male identified biomen can call themselves feminists. It's like a white person calling themselves a black activist, instead of an anti-racist.
I think we need a better word for the work being done by people of many genders that is allied with, supportive of and benefitting from the work of feminists. I like the term 'gender radical' or 'gender activist' myself.
written by Ben Cooper, 18 March 2010
Emphasising this amongst men would be very beneficial to the cause.
written by robbie, 17 March 2010
When I was a baby, my Mum took me to her work, the Women's Electoral Lobby. She was told that males were banned from the site so as not to upset the women attending the rape victim centre. Yes, they saw a baby "boy" as something of a threat. My mother strongly objected and in the end won. I share almsot every view she has on feminism and as such call myself a feminist. Women who say that a man can't be a feminist or who see men as being representative of rapists are sexist. Pure and simple. They are making a sexist generalisation and sinking to the same level as those whom they despise. Destroying the gender binary is as important to me as a "man" as it is to me as a feminist.
On the one hand, I have a self-interested motivation: I am not a sterotypical guy and am sick of being pigeon holed because of people's binary concept of gender. But more importantly I simply hate discrimination and think there is much to be done in the name of equal rights for women.
Another example of sexism from a woman that sickened me was when two women friends were recently discussing whether one of them should leave her abusive husband. I once again very strongly stated that I thought she should leave him. The woman providing support said "See, even the man says you should leave him". To be placed in the same category as abusers, as though somehow I would more naturally agree with him still makes me so angry. How dare she categorise me alongside such scum? My view that she should leave him has nothing to do with my "gender" as they perceive it, and everything to do with my hatred of abuse.
Lastly, as you say, feminism will never make the further progress it needs to until it can bring men along with it. As long as we are discriminated against by mysandrists, the feminist cause will never make progress. That is not to say that women's rooms etc aren't an important place of refuge, but all people must be invited into the fight for equal rights for all genders.
written by Rosalie Scolari, 17 March 2010
I am bordering a drug-fuelled (the legal kind) coma at the moment, but I wanted to jot a few responses down.
Firstly, just a bit more about my research. It was a 20,000 word piece written in a time period of six months. Due to time and word limit restrictions, I had to be really selective about what area's I was going to cover. In the end, the document was broken into 4 chapters; Intro and methodology, identification, relationships and the feminist path and conclusion. Only 12 men were interviewed. I specifically sought an even split of heterosexual and homosexual men. This was a response to the literature and popular representors that suggest homosexual men are more likely to identify as feminist. My final thesis was then reduced to 2000 words for this article.
Ben . . . I agree that feminism is about equality, but i do not believe it should be about liberating men.
All intersex, non-sexed, transgender, and gender queer individuals need a place and voice within the feminist movement. They provide a unique perspective, particularly around gender. Indeed Norrie's neutral classification will offer an essential conversation around the debate. I look forward to it!
Paolo, like you say, the men in my research talked A LOT about not fitting into traditional masculinity stereotypes, or ‘manhood’. I want to turn this question back on you . . . what do you think the male role is? This was the most interesting part of the research for me. Here is a nice quote from one of my participants:
“You know what, it would be easier to be the kind of man I despise . . . think about it, I could shag whenever I wanted, get fed and cared for without raising a finger, wouldn’t have to change nappies . . . it makes you see why some men don’t want to change. But for me, that kind of life is bullshit, that kind of man is an areshole and I don’t want to be associated with any of it”
Angela I respect your opinion and understand the argument that the word for feminism is for women only. I think by placing men outside feminism however, is again just polarising our roles by sex. To me, if it looks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck . . . then it is a duck. It is important to say that the men interviewed struggled to give examples where they actually had to announce the terminology the chose to adopt in everyday life. They said that their conversations reflected the opinions and thoughts of a feminist, but the declaration “I am a feminist” was rarely necessary. Finally, the conclusion I drew on this area was that whether these men chose to use or not use the feminist label – they were are doing so out of respect for both women and feminism.
R(evolutionary), I never used transmen in my study – though I would have loved to if time permitted. This would be a thesis on its own! I am no expert on this, so it would be great if we could gather the views and thoughts of transmen here!
Finally I thought I would end this with a definition from bell hooks that I quite like:
Feminism is the struggle to end sexist oppression, Its aim is not to benefit solely any specific group of women, and particular race or class of women. It does not privilege women over men. It has the power to transform in meaningful ways all our lives. Most importantly, feminism is neither a lifestyle nor a ready-made identity or role one can step into. (1984)
written by r(evolutionary), 17 March 2010
I think male feminists/feminist allies are critically important however, in the same way straight allies of queer activists, white allies of black activists, (etc etc) have been critical to helping bring about social change.
In this instance, we need to take our cues solely from women.. but we can then prosecute those concerns to audiences and in ways that women may not be able too. There are forums I have access too, as a man, that women don't, but where I can speak up for feminist issues and question the exclusion of women at all. And by virtue of being a man, it means that I will sometimes be heard more/at all, as opposed to being dismissed as a 'crazy feminist' as sadly happens too often.
One final question to women who are strongly opposed to men being described as feminist - where do you posit transmen? Transmen have, at least for some of their life, personally experienced what it is to be in this world as a female - are they therefore more/less entitled to call themselves feminists?
written by angela, 16 March 2010
written by Paolo Scimone, 16 March 2010
The one question I do have for males of today is what is our role to be if what most of what mainstream identities of being male, are not what many modern men identify with. What is the male role? Perhaps Norrie's recent neutral classification can actually open up ground-breaking, human, identity norms leading to a new field within human consciousness.
Always the idealist at heart, thanks for a great article.
written by Ben Cooper, 16 March 2010
Controversial my opion maybe but I'm throwing it out there.
written by Ben Cooper, 16 March 2010
I do have to partially disagree on one point. Fighting for feminism to me is about fighting for equal opportunity for all people regardless of their sex, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexuality or personality or lack of. I also see liberating both women and men from the gender binary as a feminist fight.
Feminism is as much of apart of the struggle for equality for the intersex, non-sexed, transgender and other queer identifying gender identifying individuals as it is for women and liberating men and women from the gender binary is something that is necessary in order overcome the negative, detrimental and unequal effects that conforming individuals to abide by the gender binary have on us all.
You can’t liberate one gender grouping with out liberating all others.
Otherwise I think that this piece by Rosalie is groundbreaking, necessary and insightful.
Just as feminism being branded as misandry is ignorant and disingenuous, so to is excluding men from being feminists.