Ch. 4 - COMM 3310 Women, Men & Communication Men’s efforts to define manhood Men’s activism Alliances or connection to Feminism Progressive men or male feminists— Profeminist Men’s Groups ▪ Worked to bring attitudes & behavior in line with gender equality or w/spouse ▪ Joined forces w/women to work for women’s rights. ▪ Profeminists’ close relationship with liberal feminism: 1. 2. One related to women Other related to men A member of a group criticizes attitudes or actions that are common and accepted among members of that group Ex. Criticizing a sexist joke, rebutting bad male behavior—view as a “traitor” o Encourage or persuade other men to alter discriminatory attitudes & practices o Endorsing liberal belief that men and women are alike in most ways—looking beyond society’s view of masculinity o Encourage men to be more sensitive, caring and open with other men. o Aaronette White (feminist) said: …men’s feminism enriches parenting, friendships & self-identity. National Organization of Men Against Sexism (NOMAS) Brings awareness of how men’s emotional development has been hindered by masculinity FOUR ISSUES: 1. Recognizing and resisting the power and privilege that accompanies being men 2. Ending violence against women by analyzing the relationship between cultural codes of masculinity and that of violence against women 3. Working to end men’s homophobic attitudes and resulting cruel behavior 4. Develop men’s studies at colleges & universities White Ribbon Campaign: Developed my group of Canadian men who felt a need to respond to appalling incidences of violence against women (100,000 Men Wore White Ribbons) MONTREAL MASSACRE : Slaughtering of 14 women in engineering by man who felt the discipline was not place for women Mentors in Violence Prevention: Seeks to educate men about the socialization that links masculinity to violence and aggression, and to motivate men to reject violence in themselves and other men https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeXLg7uOH9U These men’s groups embrace cultural ideology, which holds that women and men are fundamentally different, & therefore should have different roles Masculinist: Promasculine men who assert that men suffer from discrimination & that men need to reclaim their rightful status Masculinists: • Differ from profeminist men in attitudes toward gay men— denounce/ignore gay men; Profeminists: • Support gay concerns, challenge homophobic attitudes and eliminate discrimination Men’s Rights Activists: Goal of these men is to restore the traditional roles of men and women, and as such, the privileges men historically enjoyed MR, Inc.: Men’s Rights Incorporated NOM: National Coalition for Free Men Men’s rights groups think it is more important to address discrimination against men than discrimination against women—believe men are oppressed Examples: military draft, shorter life spans, more health problems & child custody favoring women Free Men: a small, more extreme men’s right group that aims to restore men’s pride in being “real men” who are tough, rugged, invulnerable & self-reliant o Regard male feminists at “soft & unmanly” referring to them as “the men’s auxiliary to the women’s movement o According to them, the primary burden of masculinity is the provider role, which makes men little more than meal tickets whose worth is measured by the size of their paychecks & professional titles o Free men want men to regain their rightful places as heads of families & unquestioned authorities; Believe status should not be tied to the breadwinner role Groups advocating for father’s to have 50% custody of their children after divorce; claim courts discriminate against men by assuming women should be primary parent Fathers 4 Justice Only group fight for father’s rights Performs dramatic stunts that attract publicity advocacy for fathers Founded by poet & peace activist Robert Bly (1980s early 90s): o Aimed to foster men’s personal growth, wholeness and bonding in all-male gatherings o Claimed that ideal manhood existed in ancient times & in Middle Ages where men were self-confident, strong, emotionally alive and sensitive like, Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau & Johnny Appleseed o Thought men’s formerly profound connections to the earth and to comradeship with other men were ripped from them during modernization & Industrial Revolution o Laid blame of men’s emotional deficits on feminism o Although they believe men have been separated from their feelings, are in contrast to profeminist men  not much energy in male feminists who castrate American males o Mythopoetics urge men to recover distinctly male mode of feeling which is different from female feelings endorsed by profeminist men o Charged with unwillingness to confront gender equality A grief born of yearning to be close both to actual fathers and other men, and to build deep, spiritual bonds between men Robert Bly urged men t get in touch with their grief and begin to rediscover their deep masculine feelings & spiritual energies Gathering of Christian Men encouraging them to be good husbands, fathers, and members of the community; Pray & commit themselves to a “Christ-centered life” Follow (7) promises (see. P. 94) First occurred in 1991 drawing 4200 men In 1993, event fill 50,000 seat stadium In, 1994 ***Critics of Promise Keepers found them elitist, White upper middle class men*** Organized by Islamic leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan & Rev. Benjamin Chavis, Jr in Fall of 1995 Goals was for Black men to fill the mall of the nation’s capital and reconcile with one another, and pledge themselves to spiritual transformation & political action Organizers called for Black men to register to vote, fight drugs in the lives & communities ***Critics viewed this even to encourage rage of racial identity & victimization*** Multifaceted effort to stimulate a national conversation about what it means to be a good man A book w/collection of stories by same title featured examples of “good men” Good Men Foundation & online magazine has followers of diverse ages, ethinicities, races, religions, sexual orientation, etc. ***One-third of readers are women*** COMM 3310 Women, Men & Communication MEN’S MOVEMENT PAPERS Hard Copy Due: MONDAY , NOVEMBER 6th , Start of Class!! Please read through Chapter 4 regarding Images of Men, Men’s Activism and the Men’s Movement in addition to our class discussion and notes. For this paper, consider current gender related events, incidents, stories or issues that involve 1)manhood, 2)men’s activism, and 3)the relationship of men to equality of both genders-- or even pop culture topics that highlight issues of male disadvantage. After brainstorming, choose one of these focus areas, that interests you, or one in which you can relate within this realm. After you have your focus area, think about how one of the organizations, campaigns, or movements discussed in Chapter 4 reflects one of those three areas. Then, think about how a current issue reflects the focus area and concept from this chapter to write about in your paper. EXAMPLE: Discussion of how the emergence of single fathers today is grounded in activism within Fathers 4 Justice. Guidelines: Be specific. Use support. Clearly make the connection to focus & chapter concept. At least 4-5 full content pages Use APA style – Include all Elements noted in Guide on Blackboard At least (4) Verifiable Sources (No Wikipedia) (Books, Journal/Periodical Articles) See Google Scholar 150pts.
Purchase answer to see full attachment