What do you think of masculism?

Question

Its concerns are, for example, equality in child custody such as shared parenting, subjecting men to unwanted parental responsibilities, equality in adoption rights, legislation addressing women's needs without consideration for men (VAWA), high incarceration rates and harsher sentences, the lack in health concerns for men (breast cancer v. prostate cancer; which has more awareness and funding into it?)

These are just some of the many examples of it-- more on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masculism

Do you think masculism is reasonable or a threat to feminists?

By threat, I mean feminists who refuse to have any recognition for males. Take, for example, this video on youtube-- http://youtube.com/watch?v=qodygTkTUYM Its of feminists disrupting and trying to shutdown a forum about battered husbands who discuss the possibility of giving male victims of domestic violence some of the social services that are currently only available to female victims.

Answer 1

If men were shouting at women like that we would have already seen the footage on prime time news, and would be seen as evidence of men's oppression of women. I would like to think that those women represent the worst possible face of feminism i.e. ideological or radical feminism.

What do I think of masculism (or masculinism)? I am for equality of opportunities for all. I see that men are not being treated as equals today, so I support any effort to rectify this. Women can point out prejudice and inequalities for men just as well as anyone, but I think a lot of women get put off supporting masculinist objectives by the angry voices of men (sometimes seen here at G&WS) just as men are put off by the angry women in the video clip you provided.

A reasonable presentation (i.e. non-aggressive) of masculism shouldn't be a threat to any reasonable feminist who wants equality for all. It will only be a threat to ideological feminists who only want to promote their own selfish goals at the expense of men.

Answer 2

I'm a woman and VERY pro-women's rights. However, I believe men shouldn't lose rights in the process. I think some men would make better fathers than some of the women. I think men should have equal health care, funding, etc, and all of that stuff. BUT, I don't think that after years of having almost NO rights that women should lose any of their hard won rights.

Anyway, to answer your question, I think that the radicals of masculinism will be a threat to women and their rights. Just like the radical feminists will be a threat to men and their rights. It seems that on each side, the radicals want to take more than their fair share and stomp on the rights of the other side. The reasonable members of each side, however, are a blessing to the cause and not a real threat, but perhaps a just and needed catalyst to effect positive changes in how our country works and sees gender related issues.

As for the breast cancer vs prostate cancer thing? I think that came about because the women working to effect those changes and get that funding were more vocal and did more about it to get what they wanted. If I'm not mistaken, a lot of men are kind of embarrassed to be seen working to gather the same kind of funding as the women are getting. I think the men should and CAN get the funding, but they'll have to be more outspoken about it and do what's necessary to acheive that goal. Maybe talking to the 'other side' can give ideas on how this can be accomplished?

BTW, what's 'unwanted parental responsibilities? And what women's needs are addressed without consideration for the men? Please remember that for so much of history, women haven't had any rights, being seen mostly as property instead of human beings with minds and rights of their own. I know you're probably not one of those who want to take away those rights, but considering how long it took to get them, I can understand how some women get worked up about anyone who threatens to take the edge away from them. I personally wouldn't allow any of my rights to be taken, but I have nothing against anyone else having those same rights....male or female. I think if the radicals would shut up for a bit, the more level headed members of each side could work together to help each other, but that's just my opinion.

Anyway, please help me understand your exact meaning on the above mentioned items. I really do just want to understand your point of view a bit better, whether or not I eventually agree with it.

Thanks and good luck.

PS: I've read the wiki notation. My feelings are that some of it is bogus, while other parts have a validity that needs addressed. My questions is, why are both sides shouting instead of talking like adults to work things out? Seems silly to me considering we're supposed to be intelligent, sensible adults. Just my views.

Answer 3

I think that any movement that supports, encourages and furthers the rights of an individual or group are good. And they are effective, as we have seen with many movements throughout history. Therefore, I would largely support masculinism.

HOWEVER - for the same reason that I hold little respect for feminism, I think I may feel the same way about masculinism - based upon your description. When supporting women's rights, I don't want to hear any criticism or crap about men being responsible. Likewise, I don't want to hear masculinism villify women. Each group would get far more support - from both men and women - if it stopped the petty name calling and finger pointing.

Answer 4

I think some of it is valid, but parts of it are absurd. I wonder if the absurd parts are intentionally so?
For example, high incarceration rates - come on - if you commit a crime, you will do time for it. Perhaps if the angle was crime prevention I would take it more seriously.

The main weakness of masculism, as I see it, is its style of bringing all of its issues to light in comparison with women. Aren't your issues important enough to stand alone?
Something to think about.

Answer 5

My husband is a masculist and is strongly for men's rights. He believes we need masculism so that way marriages would be better and that women are not emasculating men.

Answer 6

nah when you go back to how it was about 40 years ago men dominated the world practically. i dont think that women now are going to take it seriously. afterall men do get certain priveleges that women dont. though i think the whole incarceration thing is a huge double standard and prostate cancer should be well funded!!!! but yeah masculinism is no serious threat to feminism.

Answer 7

A think a much stronger lobby for men is the freemasons (a male only fraternity with a ton of political clout), which in my mind is who the feminist movement is competing with knowingly or not.

Answer 8

Masculism, like feminism, is reasonable when the goals they speak of merit attention and the spokesmen aren't narrow-minded and misogynistic.

Answer 9

I dont think we need masculism. What good is it to sum up the points you mentioned under masculism. All of it can be adressed without referring to it as masculism.

Answer 10

It's as reasonable as it can get and you can't ask for no more than that. Another thing to consider is if you believe what you are doing is right, never mind what other people think, cause you already know they're going to complain; meaning that's their problem not yours..