Can men be feminists?

[lovelilies]

I'm pretty sure they can't, as they have the privilege of being male!
Please correct me if I'm wrong?

A feminist believes in equality between the sexes and a man can believe in that as much as a woman can.

That's 'equalism', feminism is more than that.

I actually don't mind if a bloke calls himself a feminist so long as he behaves like a feminist ally.

@positivelyPERF that wasn’t my question ?

This is the bit I'm genuinely struggling with.
Men obviously can't be female (although they do try!) but I'd have thought they could be feminist as it's a belief/theory rather than a biological 'thing'.

Like pp said, white people cannot be black, but can be against racism albeit without experiencing it first hand.

And I won't apologise to the people who are complaining about it having already been discussed. In the real world topics are spoken about many times, this is my thread and thank you for the people who are participating!

No they can't. They can and should be feminist allies, but they are all too much part of the problem to be feminists.

I’m not actually sure what you’re on about, then. If you’re suggesting that I’m saying that men can’t recognise and point out sexism, that’s not what I’ve said. Men can’t BE feminists, because you have to BE a female to be a feminist. White people can recognise and point out racism, but can’t be a BAME member because they’re not Black, Asian, or a minority ethnic.

But you’re doing a very good job of proving what I said about certain men trying to dictate what feminism is. Thanks.

No.

NotTakenUsername Patrick flitted through my mind when I thought of the faux feminists. And yes, I really like him. I think it's interesting that he experienced violence as a child, powerless and small. And perhaps that informs his take on it. He does seem to confine most of what he does to what he personally knows, domestic violence. He also seems humble about it for the most part.

But there seem to be so many of the other sort. Talking over women, telling women they're doing it wrong, thinking they know best, taking up space, doing it for the cookies.

It's a depressingly familiar thing. Oh look, now Matt Damon's an arse, oh and Jason Bateman, there goes another man I quite liked. Charities doing good, oops, their staff are fucking local impoverished sex workers. Amnesty International is great, nope, they're in favour of selling consent as well.

No. Men can be fantastic feminist allies. Their voices can be really valuable when raised in support of feminist issues. But they aren't feminists. Feminism is a liberationist movement from patriarchy, and even the most ardent of male allies will always baulk if he thinks his particular chunk of patriarchy will also crumble. It's no different from black liberationist movements - white people can be brilliant advocates, but we always screw up when it comes to our personal privilege within the system.

No. A member of the oppressing group cannot claim to be a part of the group protesting the oppression. They can be allies.

A man who claims he is a feminist doesn't get feminism.

No. Feminism is the liberation of women from male oppression. All men benefit from this oppression and contribute to it, so how can they also be fighting for women's liberation? It is impossible.

Or what Ekphrasis just said!😁

That makes sense Ek.

MrsTerryPratchett he is remarkable. But I suppose he is remarkable because he is very much the exception and not the rule.

I do maintain men can be feminist, but would agree that a man who proclaims to be a feminist as opposed to being labelled as such because of his actions and deeds is to be treated with suspicion.

What about the flip. Does a woman automatically have the right to call herself a feminist because of her sex?

No they don't NotTaken...we only have to look at the surrendered wives movement in the states so see there are plenty of women who defer to men.

I'm talking to a wonderful feminist ally right now who has earned his stripes. However I feel that any man who actively claims to be a feminist and wants to have an active role isn't happy with "ally" is a red flag.

One is not born a feminist, one becomes a feminist.

(?)

No.

In my experience, when men say they are feminists they only have one end target in mind. Sexual intercourse.

DH is more of a feminist than I am.

He believes in equality between men and women. No ifs, no buts.

He wouldn't call himself a feminist, but I think if his views were examined he would fit the criteria.

The question is: What role do men have in feminist movements? That is a more difficult question.... I was quickly clear that my role was to speak to men and use whatever resources I had.

Robert Jensen

www.feministcurrent.com/2017/06/14/robert-jensen-millennial-men-climate-change-increasing-need-radical-politics/

Men can't be feminists. They can support the feminist endeavour and it's shame more of them don't.

He believes in equality between men and women. No ifs, no buts.

That's not what feminism is about, though. That's just being a decent human being.

Of course

@VickyEadie - I've been told on MN many times over the years that's what feminism is.

Maybe it's not.

I'm not sure. I don't claim to be a feminist. I'm definitely not as much as a feminist as DH.

as =of

Lynette your husband sounds like a good and decent man...a feminist ally. As a man it is impossible for him to be part of the oppressing class AND part of the class fighting to end oppression. But it is always great to have men with us. ✊