Information AboutMasculism |
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Masculism (also referred to as '''masculinism''') is an Ideology associated with the Men's Movement . It consists of Social Theories , Political Movement s, and Moral Philosophies primarily based on the experiences of Men . Although masculism provides a general critique of Social relations, many of its proponents also seek to analyze gender inequality and promote Men's Rights , interests, and issues. Masculism is viewed by its proponents as having an Egalitarian view of Gender issues, even though it focuses on men's experience. HISTORY OF MASCULISM The first secular response to feminism came from Ernest Belfort Bax , a socialist theoretician in the height of Socialism at the beginning of the 20th Century , and an associate of Karl Marx . Bax wrote ''The Fraud of Feminism'' in 1913 , which was in essence the first masculist text, with chapter titles ''The Anti-Man Crusade,'' ''Always The 'Injured Innocent','' and ''The 'Chivalry' Fake.'' Another early text which covers topics still in current circulation, was H.L. Mencken 's post-WWI book In Defense Of Women . Modern masculism has evolved as a response to changing women's roles. The feminist advocacy for professional women led to a similar advocacy for fathers. For example, following the "working woman" TV programs of the 1970s (such as '' The Mary Tyler Moore Show '') came numerous "single father" shows (such as '' Diff'rent Strokes '' and '' Silver Spoons ''), as well as the child-custody themed motion picture '' Kramer Vs. Kramer ''. Masculism, however, is not merely a response to feminism. Although many masculist ideas serve as a rejoinder to feminist views, there are many issues, such as military conscription and fatherhood, that have been identified as concerns for men in their own right. Warren Farrell is probably the most prominent author using the term "masculist" today. MASCULIST CONCERNS Masculists cite one-sided legislation, selective enforcement, and neglected Civil Rights as examples of discrimination against men and boys. Examples may include: Violence Masculist concerns focus on societal acceptance of violence harming men paired with the stigma against violence harming women, as well as males being taught or expected to take on violent roles.
Parenting
Discrimination
Social concerns
Education Lack of educational aid for boys and men, given that their performance/enrollment at most levels lags behind that of girls and women; some states declaring (de jure or de facto) all-male schools illegal and all-female schools legal. There is concern that some University Women's Studies departments are more concerned with teaching feminist ideology than equality of gender. The content and emphasis of these courses vary, and some even discuss "masculinities"; but masculists fear that many such courses contribute to animosity towards men. Some universities also carry "men's studies" courses. Some feminists argue that these are redundant, stating that academia throughout history was predominantly focused on men; supporters of these courses note that most subjects do not deal with or study gender directly. Employment
DIFFERENCES IN MASCULIST IDEOLOGY As with most social movements, there is no consensus as to what exactly constitutes "masculism." Some feel the word describes a belief that the male and female genders should be considered complementary and interdependent by necessity. Such expressions of masculism are built around the belief that differentiated Gender Role s are natural and should be exempt from government interference. Others masculists, such as Warren Farrell , support an ideology of equivalence between the sexes, rather than a belief in unchangeable gender differences. A more encompassing definition might be "a movement to empower males in society, and to redress discrimination against men." Because it is the name of a political and social movement, masculism is sometimes considered synonymous with the Men's Rights or Fathers' Rights movements. However, many of the fathers' rights movement make a clear distinction between masculism and their own often quite varied approaches to gender relations. Some masculists state that there is a covert Matriarchy and that one of their goals is to overturn it, and elect masculist politicians, whom they would consider more altruistically motivated. Theorists such as David Constantine envision structural changes in taxation or other areas to compensate for what they see as natural differences and expectations between genders. Gender roles in , gender-neutral stance, whereas conservatives tend to prefer a religious approach, such as represented in ''The Inevitability of Patriarchy'' by Steven Goldberg . Conservatives may promote a "New Patriarchy" by countering feminist ideology with their own. Such liberal-conservative dynamics illustrate the diversity of a movement that nonetheless has a unified purpose of promoting men's welfare. Conservative views Conservative masculists tend to believe that profound gender differences are inherent in Human Nature . They believe that feminists who have denounced differentiated gender roles as an oppressive artificial construct are conducting a Fallacious experiment by attempting to negate these differences via legislation and other means. Many conservatives believe that feminism has played a role in the high rates of Divorce (see Marriage Strike ), alienation of the genders, Female Chauvinism , Love-shyness , disintegrating communities, fatherless children, high school dropout, drug Addiction , Consumerism , Teenage Pregnancy , male Suicide , Violent Crime (especially murder), Road Rage , and overfilled Prison s. Critics of gender equality laws (beginning with the U.S. Civil Rights Act Of 1964 ) believe they have helped to make feminist ideology Mainstream - that such laws serve primarily women and have created significant Unconstitutional Discrimination against men. While some feminists fight against an "all-powerful Patriarchy ,” conservative masculists tend to consider patriarchy an inevitable result of the biological differences between the sexes. Some disagree that women are powerless victims of patriarchal oppression; they suggest that feminists use this idea to curtail men's rights and to justify their negative views of men. They claim this has achieved a covert Matriarchy , aided by chivalry towards women that itself undermines the theory of female oppression. Some men honestly urge a return to responsible Patriarchy , often by appealing to traditional religious views of male power being ordained by God. Progressive views Progressives tend to view masculism as a complementary movement to feminism, the so-called "New Masculinity." Both feminism and masculism are seen as attempts to correct disadvantages induced by gender roles. Whereas feminists address areas they believe women to be disadvantaged, such as equal pay, job opportunities and promotion, masculists address areas they believe men to be disadvantaged, such as divorce and custody, health, criminal prosecution and sentencing. These masculists may object to specific aspects of feminism or to the expressed views of specific feminist groups, without rejecting feminism as a concept or believing that the feminist movement as a whole is hostile to masculism. Some sociologists regard masculism with suspicion, seeing it as a reactionary, even misogynistic movement at odds with feminism. Others accept that feminists and masculists are natural allies against a common enemy, sexism, which is (or which can be) as damaging to men as it is to women. For example, Warren Farrell states in ''The Myth of Male Power'' (ISBN 0-425-18144-8) that both genders are hampered by the "bisexist" roles of the past: sexism that oppresses both genders. He emphasises the compatibility of both movements: "I use two podiums: Dr. Farrell, Masculist; and Dr. Farrell, Feminist." [http://www.warrenfarrell.com] Fred Hayward , in his speech to the National Congress For Men in 1981 , states: "We must not reverse the women's movement; we must accelerate it... [Men's liberation] is not a backlash, for there is nothing about traditional sex roles that I want to go back to." This suggests that masculism in his conception can assist and aid the women's movement. Feminists have responded to this with both encouragement and trepidation. Some feminists believe that space for women to have a voice would be threatened by the presence of men, or that a growing presence of men in the women's movement would displace the voices of the women. Others greet masculist interests in the women's movement as important for the eradication of sexism in society. Likewise, gender egalitarians call for both masculists and feminists who are truly interested in equality to unite under one banner of Gender Egalitarianism . This philosophy is sympathetic to legitimate grievances of both males and females. SEE ALSO Men's movements and organizations People associated with masculism BIBLIOGRAPHY
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