Masculism

Masculism, a term coined as a counterpart to feminism, is a sociopolitical movement that advocates for the rights and concerns of men. Rooted in the belief that traditional gender roles can be restrictive for men, masculists seek to address issues related to men's rights, masculinity, and societal expectations.

Key principles

• Gender Equality: Masculists assert that true gender equality involves addressing both men's and women's issues. They argue against the notion that the advancement of women's rights should come at the expense of men's rights.
• Challenging Stereotypes: Masculism aims to challenge stereotypes surrounding masculinity, emphasizing that men, like women, can experience pressure to conform to societal expectations. This includes questioning norms related to emotional expression, career choices, and familial roles.
• Legal Equality: Advocates for masculism often highlight areas where they perceive men to be disadvantaged, such as family court decisions, custody battles, and alimony. They push for legal reforms to ensure equal treatment for men and women.
• Education and Health: Masculists may address issues specific to men's education and health. Concerns could range from male underachievement in education to mental health challenges that may be stigmatized in male culture.
• Workplace Issues: Masculism may also touch on workplace challenges faced by men, including workplace safety, hazardous job conditions, and the expectation of being primary breadwinners.

Wikipedia series

• Men's rights movement
• Men's movement
• Discrimination against men

Masculism among Boylovers

It is common to see self-identified proponents of Masculism among Boylovers, particularly on community websites such as BoyChat. While Masculinist talking points are commonly observed (for example, some older BLs believe the attack on them in the 70s, 80s and 90s is linked to a broader phenomenon of "male erasure"), there currently exists no known alliance between mainstream Men's Rights Advocates and BLs. While said individuals are often adamant hatred of BLs is driven by Feminist ideology, feminists of the 1970s were not commonly seen to make direct arguments against Pederastic philosophy, for example, critiquing "pedagogical eros". Instead, it could be argued that as the predominant group of MAPs in that era, BLs were disproportionately effected by a generalized feminist offensive against incestuous/age-disparate relationships. This gelled conveniently with anti-queer manifestations of the religious-right which courted open alliance with anti-sex feminists, helping usher in a professional sex abuse paradigm. Said alliance appears to have re-emerged in the 2020s.

In some instances, younger, politically heterodox MAPs (Girllovers included) have expressed support for Masculinist beliefs, again, lacking any sign of strategic alliance with the wider movement of Men's Rights Advocates.

Criticism and controversy

Critics argue that masculism, at times, can be misconstrued as a reactionary movement against feminism. Some question the necessity of a separate movement for men's rights, positing that gender issues are interconnected and should be addressed collectively.

Relationship with Feminism

While there are areas of overlap, tensions can arise between masculism and feminism. However, there are instances of collaboration where both movements recognize the need for a more inclusive dialogue on gender issues. In conclusion, masculism is a multifaceted movement seeking to address a range of issues affecting men in modern society. Its evolution and impact on gender discourse continue to shape conversations around equality, stereotypes, and the complex interplay of societal expectations.

Contributions to men's issues discourse by notable authors

Men's issues, particularly those related to societal expectations, discrimination, and gender dynamics, have been explored by various authors who have contributed significantly to the discourse. Their works provide diverse perspectives, challenging traditional narratives and fostering critical discussions. Below are notable authors and their key contributions:

Warren Farrell is a renowned author and speaker known for his contributions to the men's rights movement.

• "The Liberated Man" (1974)

Farrell's early work explores evolving notions of masculinity and liberation from traditional gender roles.

• "Why Men Are the Way They Are: The Male-Female Dynamic" (1990)

Examines the dynamics of male-female relationships, shedding light on societal expectations and their impact on men.

• "The Myth of Male Power: Why Men Are the Disposable Sex" (1994)

Challenges the notion of male privilege, arguing that most men, too, face societal pressures and disadvantages. From the book's description:

"The Myth of Male Power helps each family member understand that genuine power is neither status nor money, but “control over one's life.” He documents that virtually every society that has survived has done so by persuading its sons to be disposable--whether in war or in work; and therefore indirectly as dads. And disposability is not power."

• "Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say: Destroying Myths, Creating Love" (1999)

Explores communication challenges between men and women and offers insights on building healthier relationships.

• "Father and Child Reunion: How to Bring the Dads We Need to the Children We Love" (2001)

Advocates for involved fatherhood and explores the importance of fathers in children's lives. From the book's description:

[...]some findings on children with single parents ….

• Children do better with single fathers than with single mothers. Both boys and girls are healthier and do better psychologically and academically, as well as socially.

• Even characteristics such as empathy are exhibited more by children brought up by single fathers.

• Single fathers experience less stress juggling children and work than do single mothers.

[...] if divorce cannot be prevented, children being primarily with their dads gives children more of both parents than when they are primarily with their mothers; reduces a mother's economic dependency on a man, and reduces men's ten times greater suicide rate after divorce.

• "The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do About It" (2018)

Co-authored with John Gray, discusses challenges faced by boys in contemporary society and proposes solutions. From the book's description:

As boys become young men, their suicide rates go from equal to girls to six times that of young women.[...] Sex is a minefield for our sons. They're bombarded with mixed messages, afraid of being either too sensitive or not sensitive enough.[...] Boys with less-involved fathers are more likely to drop out of school, drink, do drugs, become delinquent, and end up in prison.[...] Boys' old senses of purposes, being a warrior, a leader, or a sole breadwinner, are fading. Many bright boys are experiencing a "purpose void," feeling alienated, withdrawn and addicted to immediate gratification.

David Benatar is a philosopher and author known for his work on ethics and gender issues.

• "The Second Sexism: Discrimination Against Men and Boys" (2012)

Benatar critically examines societal discrimination against men and boys, challenging perceptions around gender-based bias.

Christina Hoff Sommers is a philosopher and author who has written extensively on feminism and gender issues.

• "The War Against Boys: How Misguided Feminism Is Harming Our Young Men" (2000)

Critiques aspects of modern feminism, arguing that certain feminist ideologies harm the well-being and education of young boys. From the book's description:

Girls are outperforming boys academically, and girls' self-esteem is no different from boys'. Boys lag behind girls in reading and writing ability, and they are less likely to go to college. The "girl crisis" has been seized upon by some feminists and has been suffused with sexual politics. Under the guise of helping girls, many schools have adopted policies that penalize boys, often for simply being masculine.

• "Who Stole Feminism?: How Women Have Betrayed Women" (1994)

Sommers investigates the radicalization of feminism, highlighting what she sees as the distortion of the movement's original goals. From the book's description:

[A] group of zealots, claiming to speak for all women, are promoting a dangerous new agenda that threatens our most cherished ideals and sets women against men in all spheres of life. In case after case, Sommers shows how these extremists have propped up their arguments with highly questionable but well-funded research, presenting inflammatory and often inaccurate information and stifling any semblance of free and open scrutiny. Trumpeted as orthodoxy, the resulting "findings" on everything from rape to domestic abuse to economic bias to the supposed crisis in girls' self-esteem perpetuate a view of women as victims of the "patriarchy".

Roy Baumeister is an American social psychologist who is known for his many works, including works on sexuality and sex differences.

• Is There Anything Good About Men?: How Cultures Flourish by Exploiting Men. (2010)

Roy Baumeister offers provocative answers to many questions about the current state of manhood in America.

[W]hile men have greatly benefited from the culture they have created, they have also suffered because of it. Men may dominate the upper echelons of business and politics, but far more men than women die in work-related accidents, are incarcerated, or are killed in battle--facts nearly always left out of current gender debates.

The following authors challenge modern scientific and public biases in general, also addressing gender biases directed against men.

Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist, has contributed to discussions on ideas and behaviors.

• "The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense" (2021)

Saad explores the influence of ideological extremism on society, discussing how certain ideas can negatively impact critical thinking and common sense. From the book's description:

The West’s commitment to freedom, reason, and true liberalism has never been more seriously threatened than it is today by the stifling forces of political correctness.

Helen Pluckrose is a scholar known for her work on cultural and gender studies.

• "Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender, and Identity—and Why This Harms Everybody" (2020)

Co-authored with James Lindsay, this book critiques postmodern and activist scholarship, particularly in the areas of race, gender, and identity, and its impact on society. From the book's description:

Have you heard that language is violence and that science is sexist? Have you read that you shouldn't practice yoga or cook Chinese food? Are you confused by these ideas and wonder how they have managed to challenge so quickly the very logic of Western society? In this probing and intrepid volume, Helen Pluckrose and James A. Lindsay document the evolution of this dogma, from its coarse origins in French postmodernism to its refinement within activist academic fields. As Pluckrose and Lindsay warn, the unchecked proliferation of these anti-Enlightenment beliefs presents a threat not only to liberal democracy but also to modernity itself.

See also

• Masculism - Wikipedia