#11/2018
GENDER EQUALITY
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In the words of Esther Perel, as spoken at this years SXSW, we are currently in a “unique opportunity to finally open up the narrow boxes in which masculinity, femininity, male, and female have been locked up for way too long. For the last forty years, we have done in the West and everywhere else, a little bit of the beginning work, ..., to help women find their power and their voice, but we have often left men stuck in a complete definitional void of manhood. Patriarchy doesn’t just hurt women, it hurts us all… If we are going to work towards true equality we will match our intense efforts in helping women find power and voice with our intense efforts to help men be able to share their heart and their vulnerability.”
In this newsletter, let's talk about masculinity, a topic that Word of Mouth believes is a vital part of the gender equality discussion and the shaping of actions for changing the current default. |
Photo by Sebastian Leon Prado on Unsplash
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MASCULINITY'S ROLE IN ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY
Photo by Phil Coffman on Unsplash
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Talking about masculinity may seem counter-intuitive and perhaps uncomfortable in light of gender equality. But it is only from becoming consciously aware of masculinity that can create the room for understanding other perspectives, a necessary component for change to occur. By giving men the chance to redefine masculinity that better suits them and society, only then can we make progress towards gender equality.
Masculinity and femininity are traits that describe the grouping of certain characteristics and qualities. What is unfortunate is that these traits have been linked to the biological terms of ‘male’ and ‘female'.* |
Michelle Miller's Tedx talk offers a description of how she sees and experiences what masculinity and femininity mean, one that removes the boxes of 'male' and 'female'.
The Netflix documentary "The Mask You Live In" puts a spotlight on the problem of the current norms of manhood and masculinity and raises the question, what if we allowed boys and men the freedom to express their emotions? What would society look like? Truly an eye-opening documentary.
Shane Horsburgh is an example of a man who lived within the norms of masculinity only to realise it doesn’t serve a purpose, for him as a person nor for society. His Tedx talk walks you through how he started allowing his femininity to find a place in the way he lives his life.
The BBC World Service programme The Documentary produced a series of episodes called What men think, what men think, not only offering a male perspective but also adding another layer of complexity, that of culture. The first episode (Nigeria) is unfortunately no longer available, but episodes two (USA) and three (India) are. Warning, the third episode may disturb and annoy some listeners. But it's this discomfort that gifts us with the practice of learning how to allow different perspectives to be voiced.
And what if men were able to communicate how they were really feeling? Jack Urwin decided to start talking about the often tragic effects of not talking.
Although a long read, this article provides an insightful observation of the different activities happening around the issue of masculinity, including the pro-feminist men’s movement and the (unfortunate, but natural) countermovement groups and activities.
Word of Mouth often talks about the importance of visibility being key to female empowerment. But the impact of images is equally as influential to men and can be used as a positive tool in helping them change the story. Photos and advertisement can play a role in depicting alternative models of masculinity. Getty Images has named "masculinity undone" as one of the visual trends for 2018. And this coincides with the efforts of brands (i.e. Axe and Dove) in their advertisements to do the same.
Just as much as marketing has failed by using pink for women, it has also done so for men by engraining a rigid and narrow definition of men and manhood.
The Boy Scouts of America announced that they would start accepting girls, but why hasn’t the same been done the other way? Women and girls are encouraged to show more masculine tendencies, to come into society's masculine sphere, but the same encouragement is not shown when boys and men show more feminine traits, and this too needs to be part of the discussion.
Taking a different medium to look at masculinity, the 2016 project Refashioning Masculinity looks at the use of fashion as a tool to create change.
*Disclaimer: Word of Mouth understands that gender is more complex than what can be explored in this newsletter's issue, and therefore thank you in advance for understanding that this newsletter's issue can only address the concept of masculinity at this time.)
The Netflix documentary "The Mask You Live In" puts a spotlight on the problem of the current norms of manhood and masculinity and raises the question, what if we allowed boys and men the freedom to express their emotions? What would society look like? Truly an eye-opening documentary.
Shane Horsburgh is an example of a man who lived within the norms of masculinity only to realise it doesn’t serve a purpose, for him as a person nor for society. His Tedx talk walks you through how he started allowing his femininity to find a place in the way he lives his life.
The BBC World Service programme The Documentary produced a series of episodes called What men think, what men think, not only offering a male perspective but also adding another layer of complexity, that of culture. The first episode (Nigeria) is unfortunately no longer available, but episodes two (USA) and three (India) are. Warning, the third episode may disturb and annoy some listeners. But it's this discomfort that gifts us with the practice of learning how to allow different perspectives to be voiced.
And what if men were able to communicate how they were really feeling? Jack Urwin decided to start talking about the often tragic effects of not talking.
Although a long read, this article provides an insightful observation of the different activities happening around the issue of masculinity, including the pro-feminist men’s movement and the (unfortunate, but natural) countermovement groups and activities.
Word of Mouth often talks about the importance of visibility being key to female empowerment. But the impact of images is equally as influential to men and can be used as a positive tool in helping them change the story. Photos and advertisement can play a role in depicting alternative models of masculinity. Getty Images has named "masculinity undone" as one of the visual trends for 2018. And this coincides with the efforts of brands (i.e. Axe and Dove) in their advertisements to do the same.
Just as much as marketing has failed by using pink for women, it has also done so for men by engraining a rigid and narrow definition of men and manhood.
The Boy Scouts of America announced that they would start accepting girls, but why hasn’t the same been done the other way? Women and girls are encouraged to show more masculine tendencies, to come into society's masculine sphere, but the same encouragement is not shown when boys and men show more feminine traits, and this too needs to be part of the discussion.
Taking a different medium to look at masculinity, the 2016 project Refashioning Masculinity looks at the use of fashion as a tool to create change.
*Disclaimer: Word of Mouth understands that gender is more complex than what can be explored in this newsletter's issue, and therefore thank you in advance for understanding that this newsletter's issue can only address the concept of masculinity at this time.)
BITE-SIZE
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
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Watch (you can listen too): Not only does this interview reflect WOM's approach to competition (recap: WOM doesn't believe in competition) but it also confirms the importance of embracing your differentness.
Read: How often have you downloaded an app and read the terms and conditions? Yup, we know, probably next to never. So that's why this article is important to read. And it's another example of how products and services are built from the default setting, one that needs to change. Listen: This newsletter theme linked an article about the pro-feminist men's movement but also explained the existence of the countermovement groups one of which is called INVCEL. This podcast actually brings to light where it all started and you'll be surprised, it's not what you thought. This interview also brings up many other issues regarding human behaviour and the internet. |
Published in June 2018.