Wht should men be feminists?

[David51]

I have been asked to go along to a union meeting to give a talk about why men should be feminists. This has been asked for by female members of the union.

I can think of a few reasons myself but would be grateful for any suggestions.

What kind of arguments have you used to convince male partners or colleagues and were they successful?

I think it makes for happier relationships, if gender roles are more fluid and less defined. More team work, especially where raising children are concerned.

The relationships topic is full of the range of problems that sexism causes in couples, from 'why does he leave all the childcare and housework to me, I've been ill, I can't cope, now I'm getting depressed and screaming at him when he comes home from work' to 'my husband has been made redundant, feels he can't provide, is depressed and won't see his gp' to 'is it right for my husband to call me a lazy bitch in front of our 3 year old because I asked him to see to the baby while I was busy vomtting in the sink' right through to domestic violence and sexual violence. But perhaps you would prefer to keep it light hearted (I know I would!)

Do you think you could get them all to wear pink t-shirts and hug each other in the name of getting in touch with their feelings? If yes please post resulting photos.

Something I've read on here before is that patriarchy harms men as well as women - issues like men feeling unable to express emotions, feeling pressure to conform to gender roles e.g. providing as nemo said.

And also what is that quote - about feminism seeing men as more human than the population in general. Not accepting myths about men "needing" sex to justify rape (including marital rape, date rape) or affairs, not accepting that men are emotional neanderthals so clearly they can't be blamed for hurtful behaviour, saying that men are capable so they are capable of housework, etc etc. Feminism isn't against men, it recognises that men are decent human beings most of the time and what it's against are men who treat women like they are worth less, or as skivvies, or sex toys. I haven't worded that fantastically but YKWIM.

But overall just because surely most people want equality for all - you wouldn't say you can only challenge racism if you're black, would you? It's not about the personal benefit to yourself, it's about wanting a fairer world for all. And if people do struggle to see past the selfish angle, you can remind them that their daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, female friends are equal too and should be recognised as such.

Not that men are more human than others - that men are more human than popular culture would have us believe ie they are portrayed as apes who blunder around on a constant hunt for sex.