The Men's Movement has been around for some time and should not be confused with the Men's Rights Movement. The latter would be a subdivision of the prior. However, whereas the Men's Movement of yesterday was a diverse array of different groups, focusing on different elements of male identity, spirituality and life, the Men's Movement of today is almost exclusively made up of the Men's Rights Movement - or to give it its proper name, as it is currently known; the Men's Human Rights Movement (MHRM).
I feel like I want to lament the movement that has been lost or particular aspect of it, anyway. The part of the old Men's Movement that focused on male spirituality and identity, was rich and deep, using a mytho-poetic way of thinking that explores the "deep masculine" and tries to make men better, fulfilled and psychologically actualized. It sought to bring out healthy expressions of male strength and compassion, and I feel that the marginalization (or disappearance) of this part of the Men's Movement, is saddening.
However, a full look the Men's Movement that was, is for another blog. As now, I am focusing on the Men's Movement that is.
I feel like I want to lament the movement that has been lost or particular aspect of it, anyway. The part of the old Men's Movement that focused on male spirituality and identity, was rich and deep, using a mytho-poetic way of thinking that explores the "deep masculine" and tries to make men better, fulfilled and psychologically actualized. It sought to bring out healthy expressions of male strength and compassion, and I feel that the marginalization (or disappearance) of this part of the Men's Movement, is saddening.
However, a full look the Men's Movement that was, is for another blog. As now, I am focusing on the Men's Movement that is.
The Men's Human Rights Movement
So then, the Men's Movement of today is almost exclusively the Men's Rights Movement. The mytho-poetic men's movement has virtually vanished from sight and the feminist men's movement has just been absorbed into general feminism, with those men often termed as "allies".
Those who know me will know that I don't identify as a feminist. But nor did I have any desire to identify as a Men's Rights Activist. I had come to understand that the ranks of Men's RIghts Activists were largely disenfranchised men who had taken up hard-line, angry, vocal misogyny.
Now, I know that men have issues. I've written about some of them in past blog entries. My understanding was that Men's Rights Activists (MRA's) took men's issues and used them as a platform upon which to base their misogyny.
However, as my work researching the modern masculine continues, I've often found that I come across Men's Rights blogs, videos and sites. So, I suppose that it was inevitable that sooner or later I would have to look into it properly, in order to further my research.
MRA's definitely have a bad reputation in many circles. Especially among feminists, I have noted. However, the first thing that I have to report is that thus far, I have not come across any of the "hard-line, angry, vocal misogynists" that I was given to believe made up a large proportion of MRA's. In fact, I've actually seen that sexism is not tolerated in the Men's Rights Movement.
I actually don't doubt that those angry, vocal misogynists exist and that many would identify as MRA's or at least support it. But apparently, if they are out there, they are a minority and one that is shunned and rejected by the larger movement.
Don't get me wrong, I would not say that I agree wholeheartedly with what is better termed the Men's Human Rights Movement (MHRM). But I cannot, with any sense of conscience, accuse it of being sexist. It isn't sexist and to say that it is, would be definitively dishonest of me.
So then, the Men's Movement of today is almost exclusively the Men's Rights Movement. The mytho-poetic men's movement has virtually vanished from sight and the feminist men's movement has just been absorbed into general feminism, with those men often termed as "allies".
Those who know me will know that I don't identify as a feminist. But nor did I have any desire to identify as a Men's Rights Activist. I had come to understand that the ranks of Men's RIghts Activists were largely disenfranchised men who had taken up hard-line, angry, vocal misogyny.
Now, I know that men have issues. I've written about some of them in past blog entries. My understanding was that Men's Rights Activists (MRA's) took men's issues and used them as a platform upon which to base their misogyny.
However, as my work researching the modern masculine continues, I've often found that I come across Men's Rights blogs, videos and sites. So, I suppose that it was inevitable that sooner or later I would have to look into it properly, in order to further my research.
MRA's definitely have a bad reputation in many circles. Especially among feminists, I have noted. However, the first thing that I have to report is that thus far, I have not come across any of the "hard-line, angry, vocal misogynists" that I was given to believe made up a large proportion of MRA's. In fact, I've actually seen that sexism is not tolerated in the Men's Rights Movement.
I actually don't doubt that those angry, vocal misogynists exist and that many would identify as MRA's or at least support it. But apparently, if they are out there, they are a minority and one that is shunned and rejected by the larger movement.
Don't get me wrong, I would not say that I agree wholeheartedly with what is better termed the Men's Human Rights Movement (MHRM). But I cannot, with any sense of conscience, accuse it of being sexist. It isn't sexist and to say that it is, would be definitively dishonest of me.
What's It All About?
The Men's Human Rights Movement isn't sexist, but it most certainly does hold a view of the world that is different from how many people think. The position of the MHRM is most notably described as "humanist counter-theory" - meaning that it's values are inherently humanist and it works from a theoretical model that is different. Specifically, it is different from feminist theory.
The MHRM is made up of women and men, who reject the feminist view of the world and seek equality for everyone. Of course, their rejection of feminist theory often means that they directly argue against it. This seems to rub a number of people the wrong way, especially feminists and it seems that it is this disagreement with feminist theory that leads to the accusations of misogyny - especially from radical feminists.
To be honest, I am rather scared writing this blog entry, as I have seen the kind of backlash that occurs when a person says that they either disagree with the feminist world view or otherwise question it. It seems that ideas such as "patriarchy" and other aspects of feminist theory have become so embossed upon the general psyche, that they are now regarded by some as indomitable facts that must not be challenged, rather than social theories which are open to examination (as all such theories should be).
But the men and women of the MHRM not only dare to question feminist theory, but to reject it. For this they are labeled as misogynists and more.
However, while they may not adhere to feminist theories of society, they are still battling for equality between the sexes and surely that is what should be paid attention to. Not some idealogical differences.
However, they do seem to have trouble being heard. Often, it seems, simply identifying as a Men's Human Rights Activist is enough to shut down a dialogue with others. Their events get picketed and there are those who actively try to shut down MHRM events, labeling them as a hate group.
Though, some progress is being made, particularly by the women of the movement, who seem to have better luck getting heard. Indeed, they have some very prominent female members, including Erin Pizzey, the woman who founded the shelter movement for battered women in 1971 and Senator Anne Cools, who founded the first shelter for battered women in Canada. There are also a cadre of very vocal women, who have become affectionately known as "Honey Badgers" in the movement, for the way that they take on the issues with a no-holds-barred attitude.
But what are the issues?
Well, it is fair to say that a lot of MHRA oppose the feminist view of the world. But their main issues are ones of sexual equality, particularly in the areas of the legal system (such as sentencing disparity between men and men, domestic violence procedures and rape laws), male genital mutilation, child custody, equality in medical research and lots more. Websites like A Voice For Men have thousands of articles discussing the issues that concern them.
The Men's Human Rights Movement isn't sexist, but it most certainly does hold a view of the world that is different from how many people think. The position of the MHRM is most notably described as "humanist counter-theory" - meaning that it's values are inherently humanist and it works from a theoretical model that is different. Specifically, it is different from feminist theory.
The MHRM is made up of women and men, who reject the feminist view of the world and seek equality for everyone. Of course, their rejection of feminist theory often means that they directly argue against it. This seems to rub a number of people the wrong way, especially feminists and it seems that it is this disagreement with feminist theory that leads to the accusations of misogyny - especially from radical feminists.
To be honest, I am rather scared writing this blog entry, as I have seen the kind of backlash that occurs when a person says that they either disagree with the feminist world view or otherwise question it. It seems that ideas such as "patriarchy" and other aspects of feminist theory have become so embossed upon the general psyche, that they are now regarded by some as indomitable facts that must not be challenged, rather than social theories which are open to examination (as all such theories should be).
But the men and women of the MHRM not only dare to question feminist theory, but to reject it. For this they are labeled as misogynists and more.
However, while they may not adhere to feminist theories of society, they are still battling for equality between the sexes and surely that is what should be paid attention to. Not some idealogical differences.
However, they do seem to have trouble being heard. Often, it seems, simply identifying as a Men's Human Rights Activist is enough to shut down a dialogue with others. Their events get picketed and there are those who actively try to shut down MHRM events, labeling them as a hate group.
Though, some progress is being made, particularly by the women of the movement, who seem to have better luck getting heard. Indeed, they have some very prominent female members, including Erin Pizzey, the woman who founded the shelter movement for battered women in 1971 and Senator Anne Cools, who founded the first shelter for battered women in Canada. There are also a cadre of very vocal women, who have become affectionately known as "Honey Badgers" in the movement, for the way that they take on the issues with a no-holds-barred attitude.
But what are the issues?
Well, it is fair to say that a lot of MHRA oppose the feminist view of the world. But their main issues are ones of sexual equality, particularly in the areas of the legal system (such as sentencing disparity between men and men, domestic violence procedures and rape laws), male genital mutilation, child custody, equality in medical research and lots more. Websites like A Voice For Men have thousands of articles discussing the issues that concern them.
I can agree with much of what the MHRM stands for. Their fair, humanist approach is admittedly appealing. Their willingness to openly dispel many feminist myths, is also appealing, as I believe that facts serve the quest for equality far better. But at the same time, there are elements of the MHRM that make me feel uncomfortable. The very fact that it is the "Mens" Human Rights Movement, rather than just a human rights movement, is a little off-putting. It makes it sound like it is as geared solely towards men, in the same way that feminism sounds geared towards women. It's a name that doesn't really conjure images of equality. The "Equal Rights Movement" would be better. However, saying that, I can also understand why the "Men's" part is important, as it helps attract men to the movement as a place where their issues can be heard and taken seriously. The name makes it clear that it places importance on the issues facing men and boys.
Some within the MHRM use terms like "gynocentric" to describe elements of society or in the case of some people, perhaps western society in general. I can't agree with that. That is to say that I don't really like the term "gynocentric". I know it's just a word, but it feels antagonistic and in most cases it is probably an oversimplification of a complex issue, just as "patriarchy" is.
Some of the goals of particular activists are not necessarily in line with my own opinions, but I have to admit, that it is difficult to examine the movement in a level and fair way, and not be swayed by a lot of it. Those minor issues aside, everything else ticks the right boxes of equality (Including equality in issues of gender, sexual orientation, race and religion) and fact-based reasoning.
Though, I would still be apprehensive about aligning myself with such a movement. Not because of great idealogical differences or because of the people in the movement, but because of the way the movement has been depicted. They have been cast in such a negative light by certain camps (primarily feminists) that counting yourself among their ranks would ultimately hinder any progress I wished to make in my own approach to men's issues and modern male identity.
It feels like a cop out and I know that it is.
A Nice Surprise
The MHRM was not as it had been advertised by it's detractors. I'd say that they have much to offer the pursuit of equality between the sexes.
Perhaps I had the advantage of already having done a good amount of research into men, male identity and men's issues, so I was already aware of many of the facts upon which their activism is based. But either way, they are saying a lot of the right things, even if the current number of people listening, is small.
What I expected to find in looking into the MHRM was a handful of people expressing genuine concern over genuine issues, who were more often swamped over and drowned out by a larger number of loud, angry, sexist men. But what I actually found was a large number of fair and egalitarian men and women, expressing genuine concerns over genuine issues, while the minority of loud, angry sexists were pushed so far to the fringes that they became invisible to me.
There are surely bad apples in every cart. But the MHRM is, from what I can see, predominantly good, reasoned people.
The MHRM was not as it had been advertised by it's detractors. I'd say that they have much to offer the pursuit of equality between the sexes.
Perhaps I had the advantage of already having done a good amount of research into men, male identity and men's issues, so I was already aware of many of the facts upon which their activism is based. But either way, they are saying a lot of the right things, even if the current number of people listening, is small.
What I expected to find in looking into the MHRM was a handful of people expressing genuine concern over genuine issues, who were more often swamped over and drowned out by a larger number of loud, angry, sexist men. But what I actually found was a large number of fair and egalitarian men and women, expressing genuine concerns over genuine issues, while the minority of loud, angry sexists were pushed so far to the fringes that they became invisible to me.
There are surely bad apples in every cart. But the MHRM is, from what I can see, predominantly good, reasoned people.
But...
...I still have worries about posting this. Saying anything good about MRA's or anything that questions feminism, can be akin to social and/or professional suicide.
I would hope that those reading this take the time to do the research for themselves and look into the things that I talk about in this blog. But I am afraid that many won't. There may even be those who will outright disassociate from me for some of the things that I have said here. If that happens, then it is sad, but I can at least feel assured that I have researched for myself and examined the subject from a balanced and considered position.
As for me, I'll continue my work, researching men and masculinity. When I feel moved to do so, I shall blog again. There are already a few subjects bubbling in my mind, that I hope to find the time to write about here. So, watch this space.
In the mean time, I wish everyone a happy weekend.
...I still have worries about posting this. Saying anything good about MRA's or anything that questions feminism, can be akin to social and/or professional suicide.
I would hope that those reading this take the time to do the research for themselves and look into the things that I talk about in this blog. But I am afraid that many won't. There may even be those who will outright disassociate from me for some of the things that I have said here. If that happens, then it is sad, but I can at least feel assured that I have researched for myself and examined the subject from a balanced and considered position.
As for me, I'll continue my work, researching men and masculinity. When I feel moved to do so, I shall blog again. There are already a few subjects bubbling in my mind, that I hope to find the time to write about here. So, watch this space.
In the mean time, I wish everyone a happy weekend.