Can a man be a Feminist?

[trumad]

I think so.... Here's the deal with me... I look at every human being as being equal the minute they are born. Racism, Misogyny, Chauvinism, etc are not genetic, but taught behaviors passed on by our un-evolved ancestors.

Without the Feminist movement, these behaviors would increase rather than decrease. So...if being a Male Feminist helps the world achieve equality, then I'm proud to be one.

BTW: There will be nude pics in the group, won't there?

[TeeYiYi]

1. I believe the answer is yes . . .

. . . but I don't know for sure as the question relates to this particular group. It may be that you have to have experienced the insidiousness of misogyny to truly understand it. In that case, probably not.

TYY

[cally]

2. Of course

We discussed this on the thread creating this group. Men can be and re feminists. Glad you are here.

[beam me up scottie]

3. Answer to first question : Yes,

it sounds like you already are.
Answer to last question: You can see naked pictures of my cats anytime you want!

[Finder]

5. Men are a big part of the feminist movement.

As long as they know their place.;)

Seriously, we are all humans first and men who understand how important it is and are comfortable with equality are essential.

[beam me up scottie]

8. I agree. We need humor and men

and humorous men!
Hey, we gotta laugh at somebody ...
Many of our champions on DU are men.

[TeeYiYi]

4. Regardless . . .

. . . of the true definition of 'feminist' . . . I'm sure that you're more than welcome here trumad. :thumbsup:

TYY

[BlueIris]

6. Of course.

Here's my definition of a feminist: A person who supports equality for and empowerment of women. That's it. Anyone who can get behind that idea is a feminist to me. Everyone should be a feminist. It's entirely easy.

[lukasahero]

7. Of course

Well, in answer to your first question. Your last question? Not so much. :-) (I'm hoping the relief of just having this place means we won't all be so jumpy with people who are legitimately making light, but I would suggest that nerves are frayed at the moment so be gentle.)

Hey, read the "mission statement", if you agree with it's tenets, you are welcome here. If you don't, that's ok to but you shouldn't post here. What you call yourself is up to you.

Regarding the word "feminist", it's been co-opted, misused and maligned by so many that we felt a) the need to reclaim it with the group name and b) the need to put language in the mission statement that notes "The terms "feminist/feminism"... have established meanings in the context of women's history."

[efhmc]

9. Except for the last sentence , that got you booted.

[efhmc]

10. I know you came here to ask a question but I am interested in your

reply to the thread I started about the amount of anti-feminism on DU. What is your opinion?

[trumad]

12. Learned behaviors

Please understand that there's a whole bunch of guys, even Liberal guys, who were raised in a household that put the men in the family first. I was amazed in my younger years when I visited a friends house and had dinner. The Men and Boys would leave the table and let the women clear it and wash the dishes.

My Mom would have none of that and thank God. When I left the nest I was able to function in a domestic environment and to this day I am very domestic. Of course I have passed this on to my kids (Boys) and I am confident that they do well when they leave home.

The point I'm making is a lot of guys my age grew up in this manner and it set them back with regards to how they treat women and the type of comments they make. I don't think they mean to be that way, I just think they can't help themselves. If they are truly Liberal in thinking, they will reflect on a comment that offends, and hopefully change.

[efhmc]

13. I am sure you are right but I see few here that think they need to be

changed or are changing. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughs.. Sounds like you have a great mom.

[lukasahero]

14. Yes, it's true a lot of guys are raised that way

What I guess, to me, makes some men "feminists" is their desire to understand and grow if they grew up under those circumstances.

My husband is 56. He grew up in a very "traditional" family - boys should be stoic, women do the housework and shut up and let men make the decisions. He is not like that at all. He still has his moments and I can see a lot of what he expects of himself formed by those attitudes which he doesn't even realize but he is interested in listening, learning and growing. He sees the need.

Re: "I don't think they mean to be that way, I just think they can't help themselves." I believe they can help themselves but don't necessarily want to. It's one thing to make a slip, acknowledge it and try to correct it, it's another to say "it's just how I am, get over it". Big difference.

[redqueen]

11. You're funny.

Yes, men can be feminists.

As for the nude pics... *sigh*

[geniph]

15. My husband is.

Actually, I generally won't have a whole lot to do with men who aren't feminists. I find them to be very insecure people.

Can a straight person be a supporter of GLBT rights? Can a white person support the rights of persons of color? Can an able-bodied person support the rights of the disabled? I think most of us would agree the answer is yes. Then men can support the rights of women to be equal.

Oh, and to answer your last question, here's a picture of my pussy:

[valis]

16. I'm a male feminist: i want equal rights and opportunities for all

[Chovexani]

17. Of course they can, and are

Feminism ultimately means liberation for all people: male, female and those who define themselves in other ways.

I believe that sexism harms men as much as it harms women. In our society, so much of what men are taught WRT what it means to "be a man" is rooted in not being a woman. So-called "Feminine" attributes are things to be derided, shunned. So you have things like male coaches calling their male players "ladies" during locker room talks, "pussy" being an insult (while "having balls" is something to be celebrated), etc. This is why homophobia is so prevalent, and is what lies at the heart of the hatred for the "sissy". (Even among queer men themselves--a brief perusal of MTM personals in any paper/forum will reveal tons of "Straight acting" men)

Truly, we are all interconnected and these issues are all interconnected. If one of us is not free, then none of us are free.

[redqueen]

24. I love your post...

What pains me more than seeing the harm sexism is doing to males is the fact that so few men (any?) speak out against it. That breaks my heart.

[Chovexani]

29. It's sad, isn't it?

I'm lucky, the men in my life "get it" (and those that don't, and don't care to, I cut out...can't deal with that negativity).

Education is key, I think. People are so brainwashed in this culture that often times it takes a bit of a jolt to get them to see what's going on. Even some women don't understand. :(

[mogster]

18. Yes, I am one too

The lib in Womens Lib isn't a coincidence, and feminism is liberalism to me. Or should I say modernism?

[Vladimir]

19. I hope so

I consider myself a feminist, from a Marxist perspective.

[spooky3]

20. If the answer were no, we'd have no one to love!

[marions ghost]

21. Yes, I think so

but it's necessary to have some empathy with women, which is easier for some men than others, depending on conditioning. If you grow up believing that half the human race is beneath you, I think it's going to be a problem.

Of course women have to watch out for the poseurs, the wolves in sheep's clothing who USE the cloak of feminism to further manipulate them, whether in business or personal relationships. We've all seen those...

Also I think men who would like to be, or consider themselves to be true feminists have to have a real strong sense of self and not be perturbed by expressions of hostility from women around issues of sexism. Objectivity is hard even when the hostility is directed toward "men in general."

Even though you can't be a woman--to truly understand the effects of sexism--most men in this society have been victimized in some way at some point and can relate to the situation. If you tend to subjugate or prey on others, you wouldn't be receptive to feminism. It's all about getting OUT from under.

Just general thoughts....sure, it would be great if more men were feminists at heart. The world would be so different. Change of that very profound kind is scary to people who prefer the illusion of certainty and conformity.

[proudbluestater]

22. Alan Alda is the epitome of a good feminist. Phil Donhue as well.

[xmas74]

23. Why not?

Why can't a man be a feminist? I don't see any reason to answer that as a no.


As to the nude pics-what kind were you hoping for? You might not like the answer otherwise.

[Misunderestimator]

25. I know many feminist men... they're the ones that give me hope for the...

rest of them. :hi:

[Stuckinthebush]

26. I'm a feminist

and I'm male.

There are those that have posited that a male defining oneself as a feminist is as absurd as a Caucasian defining oneself as black because the male is in a position of power and can never fully understand the social forces that affect women.

Most feminist theorists seem to disagree with this and fully accept the fact that anyone - regardless of gender - can claim the title "feminist" if he or she is passionate and concerned about the social power equations that maintain the subjugation of non-males.

If the term feminism does make a male feel uncomfortable because he is concerned with co-opting a term, then he may use the term "pro-feminist". Either way, the man in question is aligning himself with a movement AND ideological position that supports the exploration of the social forces which have historically and are presently affecting women.

[lukasahero]

28. Wow, beautifully said

"Either way, the man in question is aligning himself with a movement AND ideological position that supports the exploration of the social forces which have historically and are presently affecting women." Where were you when we were forming our mission statement? ;)

I think there is a little bit of validity to those who argue that men can "never fully understand the social forces that affect women" but that doesn't mean they don't want to and can't try. It's the willingness to learn and to try to understand that determines whether or not man is a feminist (to me anyway). Thanks for an excellent post.

[Stuckinthebush]

30. Aw, shucks

I'm just happy that this group now exists. It's amazing that it took so long!

I look forward to the conversations here.

[Lerkfish]

27. I definitely think so. I consider myself one...

but I don't know if my definition would be acceptable to female feminists.

Basically, and simply, I support feminist issues (at least what I perceive as them) -- equal opportunity, equal pay, equal rights, against misogyny, violence against women, a culture that objectifies and demeans women as partners and equals etc.

I would assume that makes me a male feminist.

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

I recall when I went to college, circa 1981, as a resident assistant, I sought out and attended a rape awareness class, mainly because one of my residents' girlfriend was raped, and he came to me for help, and I felt underequipped on how best to help him and his girlfriend beyond just redirecting them to the rape crisis center.

My intentions were good, but I felt very alone in the class and was often used as the "bad example' of our culture by the instructor because I was male. She also made the comment that "all men are rapists" which I found counterproductive. Other than that, It was a valuable class to take. I also participated in a "take back the night" vigil in response to rapes on campus (which were unfortunately really high that year).

so....anywho, I guess I'm just saying that, to me, it seems not only possible to be a male feminist, I think its imperative to all of us.