Men: what about feminism DOESN’T apply to you? It’s not denoted as equality for exclusively women; it’s for all sexes.
Here’s the truth: Men make GREAT feminists if we just open out eyes and allow ourselves tosee how we can be an ASSET instead of a DETRIMENT.
And here’s why.
Simply stated, we see a different perspective. There are several issues facing women in terms of equality, politics, and socioeconomic fairness that many men just don’t get or ever experience.
Though not directly affected by those issues, guys have their own problems to deal with that can lend a hand in helping us understand and even compare the woman’s perspective to those around us. If everyone in a group is biased by “Factor A,” and an outsider comes with input from their experience in “Factor B,” the new information can help create a dialogue and open others’ eyes to concepts they may have not even thought existed.
Sharing perspectives and differing viewpoints can be a great asset in strengthening an argument and pushing a movement, like feminism, forward.
Though many issues of sexualization can be commonplace between men and women, there are dozens of other hurdles that women encounter that men just, well, don’t.
We don’t know the struggle of breaking the “glass ceiling” in the workplace. Or beingsexualized when running for office. But if you embrace feminism — as a man — you are able to acknowledge these issues from a place where you aim to seek change and understanding.
And just as we share our own perspectives to others, we, as feminists, need to be willing to understand the mentalities that are born from issues that don’t influence us. Let’s be real, it’s this understanding that can open a new path of compassion — turning us from an insensitive jerks, to a men who actually care how offensive one-liners make women REALLY feel.
If we can open our minds to feminism without seeing it as a “dirty word,” we see that there’s real, tangible difference in equality — and instead of sitting there reaping the benefits of being top dog, we can actively aim to make sure everyone — women and men alike — has the same opportunities.
And in all honesty, feminist men are more apt to help at home too. Since we acknowledge the displacement of power, we’re more likely to balance the housework than leave it up to one party.
Don’t get me wrong … just as there are certain things men just don’t get about women’s issues, there are others that women don’t get about men. But a man who has taken the time to understand the “other side” and work to make a difference can communicate these issues to other men in a way that women couldn’t. In a way that other men can grasp.
Maybe it’s an analogy, maybe it’s just “man speak.” Regardless, we are a key asset in communication to other — non-feminist and anti-feminist —men.
The key belief in feminism is equality, and bringing that equality to fruition is one of theprimary goals of the feminist movement. Our perspective with a feminist slant can be a powerful tool to cause the kind of change we need to move forward.
So men: take note. Feminism isn’t just about empowerment — it’s about equality. So there’s no reason you can’t be a feminist too … and a GREAT one at that.
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This article originally appeared on YourTango. For more like this from YourTango, try:
Photo credit: Getty Images
https://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/gender-inequality-fighting-womens-rights-think-giving-men-equal-rights-shmn/
I never heard about a website called ‘Your Tango’, but I checked it out now and I found there are only articles blaming men or teaching men what they MUST do, should do, should not do – but there is nothing written what men should or could expect from women in return. – If you are asking for equality, it cannot be one-way. You need two person who respect equality for a successful co-operation. I also noticed that there is no option to post any comment on this ‘YourTango’ website, which means opinions from others who might disagree are not… Read more »
Your link about issues men face is to a Cosmo article about “lol boners are awkward” You actually think that’s representative of the issues men face, and you’re here trying to sell us on Feminism as the answer. In short, you’re a moron. Fuck you.
Interesting to see that my comment is already deleted.
As i said already, feminism does not need guys like me.
Becuase a woman need men like a fish needs a bicycle…
Men need women, but not feminism. Not all women are feminists, I am married since almost 40 years, of course foreign wife, never divorced, my 2 daughters are adults and married too. No problems at all, very peaceful life.
Yohan, the article wasn’t about men needing women, but about feminists (more or less implicitly; women) needing men to step up for them.
But as soon as the bicycle realized it was fine on its own suddenly the fish started playing the victim and calling the bicycle an fish hating jerk because it wasn’t there anymore.
WE don’t see feminism as a dirty word, they portrayed it as such by exactly what the author is implying, that the existence of men should be for the betterment of women, ignoring the many issues that men face (in fact even blaming us), how feminism has caused so many of them. Heck, women don’t even subscribe to feminism. The estimate (from actual data and not conjectural assumption) is that around 80% of women do not subscribe to this type of feminism. When Time magazine ran its most recent “words to be eliminated from the English language”, feminism topped the… Read more »
The real reason? Because feminism as a movement has been losing steam. Fewer and fewer men and women do not identify with feminism. I have yet had any feminist answer this simple question. Name 3 intentional feminist campaigns that were for the betterment/benefit of men in our society. Please, don’t take credit for the “stay at home dad” in that it was not the feminist movement but instead the efforts of MRM’s and sadly but true, the increase has been a result of a poor economy which has forced many men to stay at home. Where was the feminist movement… Read more »
Tom, “Because feminism as a movement has been losing steam. Fewer and fewer men and women do not identify with feminism.” I am not so sure about this….I know Pew Research has similar finding. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/feminism-project/poll/ I have never been against feminism so long as it meant equality for women. What I have been opposed to is that brand of feminism, that is sometimes seen here on GMP, and elsewhere that has at its core nothing short of misandry. Some of its champions: Hanah Rosin, Jessica Valenti,..etc However, I do not think the majority of women in America who identify with… Read more »
I agree with everything you said which leads me to question if feminist movement has run its course. Personally, I think it has.
That’s great news about MD. Illinois is in real bad shape and of course they blame the Republican Gov and not the prior Democratic Gov’s who put us where we are.
I agree with everything you said which leads me to question if feminist movement has run its course. Personally, I think it has. I think its run as far as it can without being more inclusive of men. Feminism has run as far as it can on the claim that it is inclusive of men and it has drawn in some men but it doesn’t appeal to men at large. Now a feminist will likely tell you that this happens because men still want gender equality to be all about men. While that is true to an extent that is… Read more »