Can men be feminists?

UK Feminista t shirt

"Mind you with "famous" male feminists on the internet who have actually made money from feminism"

Who!? Who!?

And it all just goes to show, flipping women can't decide about anything!!

Seriously, though, among the many things feminists disagree on, Dittany's right - it's not really one of the biggest issues, is it?

David - have you got a link to the UKFeminista t-shirt?

And I have never loved the 'This is what a feminist looks like' t-shirts, although I've admired the celebs who've donned it (naively?). I find myself thinking a lot about what I look like, and whether that explodes the myth about what feminists look like or compounds it...and then I think 'FFS! I'm just feeding into it all just thinking about it!'.

Dittany said: 'I'm interested in the fact that men think they get ought to get what they are called though, over feminist objections'

The trouble is, it's more complicated than that because some (female) feminists think we should call ourselves feminists to show solidarity.

I prefer 'feminist' but I wouldn't make an issue of it if it seemed problematic.

As for t shirts, my favourite is the UK Feminista one which is a big bold design, and also allows you to show your allegiance without having to say 'I am a...' whatever

What Zikes said. Although also what Dittany said.

I prefer pro-feminist. But I think it's something that's a diversion from the more important things so I don't really care.

Linking to the racism analogy, I can be a supporter of anti-racism campaigning, but I can't be at the front saying Black Power or doing the bus thing with Rosa Parks.

You must have seen that picture of Bill Bailey wearing a shirt with the slogan 'This is what a feminist looks like'?

That shirt makes a strong statement against sexism and I don't think it would have had the same impact if it had said 'pro-feminist' instead.

As far as men's role in feminism is concerned, I tend to agree that women should lead & make the decisions. Note however that the chair of OBJECT, the leading feminist organisation that has campaigned very effectively against sex object culture, is a bloke (Jeremy Coutinho)

I want to know what Dittany thinks!

I'm a feminist but I'm not original so I will echo the applause for Flamingo's post.

I think men - especially low income and non-white men - can be victims of the existing patriarchal system and I think liberating everyone from gender stereotypes is beneficial to both (all?) sexes.

Although I do think the movement should be led by women - just as the anti-racism movement should be led non-white leaders.

(I'm not entirely comfortable with that last sentence as written - I welcome challenges)

I live for surprises SQ

But it's totally surprising how much my views have been affected.

Have another go.

The way I imagine your lecturer saying that men can't be feminists (and I may be off the mark) is sort of "no of course men can't be feminists as why would they want to be / why would they care / they'd never get it / it's not possible" which is a pretty damning thing to say about men, when the reality is that stacks of them can see that women get a shitty deal and face various problems and some actively want to change things.

I actually really dislike "pro-feminist". It makes women's oppression into a small and pathetic women's problem... it's like when men "help" with raising their children and doing their housework. Saying men are pro-feminist makes feminism into women's burden to fix. Of course, it mostly seems to be, but it shouldn't be!

x-posts with salt I never realised you were a man!

Wouldn't it be funny if all the posters on the feminism board turned out to be men!

I think it is a shame that your sociology lecturer said that.

I'll try and explain why it makes me feel so uncomfortable but it might be a bit incoherent!

To me it makes it sound like feminism is so specialised, or extreme, or just ridiculous, that of course a man would never subscribe to it. Like it's an exclusive club and you have to meet certain criteria to join.

Whereas I think that it is such an obvious thing that most people should be able to claim the label if they want it. To say "well you can come in but you can't" etc is just no good.

I also think we need all the help we can get!

Absolutely agree that men shouldn't be running the show though

This is interesting (I am a man btw) I wouldn't particularly call myself a feminist. I do however accept and agree with some of the views/issues and I have been made aware of things I took no notice of before which I find annoying as I find myself cringing when watching some programs or at peoples comments.

I have talked to other men (particularly young men) and they often come around since I just talk to them from a certain viewpoint which they understand. Not sure if men can be feminist's or not but I do think they can understand and agree with some issues. I also feel for feminist's goals which ever type of feminist they are they will ultimately benefit from men coming on board I don't see how you can change society otherwise.

what Flamingo said...(4th time )

I've actually found way more men non-hesitant in saying they're feminists than women, whether that is a result of them being led to believe they can always speak without interruption or whatever I don't know to be honest, but it is interesting.

I'm in the camp of "I'm a heterosexual in support of gay rights so why can't a man be a feminist", I don't really care if he is a feminist or a pro-feminist, so long as they support the movement

Hi! Man here!!

I don't mind if you call me a pro-feminist, though I usually call myself a feminist (usually in response to a sarcastic "What are you? a bloody feminist?" when I challenge some casual sexist remark. Me saying "yes, actually" usually makes them pause at the very least).

I think Herbex makes a good point - squabbling over who owns the term feminism is beside the point and distracts from the real fight - against sexism, misogyny and discrimination.

[I'm also post-colonialist despite being white and British, while Peter Tatchell is one of my all time heroes, and I'm not gay. Who cares about labels though, really?]

Woah! That's the third time someone's said I've said something that's not a load of naive twaddle on here! I must be getting somewhere