Comments for Michael Kaufman

Comment on Why Are (Some) Men Still Afraid of Feminism? by Cath

Cath — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:13:12 +0000

I think your reason number 2 is very interesting and could be retitled “because patriarcal values are damaging to men too”. Idealized patriarchal “masculinity” is be hard to live up to, and it also excludes quite effectively a large portion of the male sex and labels them “effeminate” or another such term which indicates how they are inferior to a “real man”. This of course breeds anxiety.I think that this also feeds into another common reason why feminism is perceived to be dangerous, the idea that feminism wants to “emasculate” men. While masculinity is rigidly defined by these patriarchal ideas, any attempt to bring equality in the interactions between male and females can only be interpreted as an attempt for women to appropiate “manliness” (ie superiority in a relationship) and to thus “emasculate” them by making them only equal rather than the “natural” superior.

Comment on Terror in Norway: An Extraordinary Letter from Oslo by Thuku wa Njuguna

Thuku wa Njuguna — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:47:05 +0000

When he talked so negatively of that lady musician from my country…..but turned it on Norway, it was a milestone the police should not missed.

Comment on Why Are (Some) Men Still Afraid of Feminism? by Thuku wa Njuguna

Thuku wa Njuguna — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:41:35 +0000

Men have not seen it as a subject worth male achievement. When feminism….or pro-feminism, as we carefully call it in the African context, become a subject that men will want to identify with or pride about or even “die for” then the men will see the benefits.
Programmes that engage men from a point of responsibility – not blame apportioning – work better…..and you do not have to package it as feminism: Peace, human rights (in general initially), leadership, GBV, HIV, development and child protection are topics that connect and easily open up discussion towards gender equality-women rights-feminism.

Comment on Why Are (Some) Men Still Afraid of Feminism? by jawad

jawad — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:46:15 +0000

I would add one more very important factor: people confuse personal bigotry with structural. [They say] “My friends and I are not sexist, therefore sexism does not exist or there is nothing for us to do. Why should I be blamed for the actions of my group?”

Comment on Why Are (Some) Men Still Afraid of Feminism? by Alison

Alison — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:01:42 +0000

It works in much the same way for women. Many women deny feminism even though they want the benefits feminist politics have brought them, but when asked if they are a feminist they say “NO” – and then say something nonsensical like they like being feminine – not really understanding that feminism is about equality NOT about sexuality.

Comment on The Astoundingly Simple Truth About Masculinity and Goodness by Danielle Kail

Danielle Kail — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:27:03 +0000

This article is gorgeous. Like a personal gift to me. I have Asperger’s syndrome. The reason this is relevant is that I don’t read facial expression well, experience empathy differently than a nero- typical person, and am very good with mechanical things. All things typical of Asburger’s but, also things our society associates with masculinity. People take me just being myself as a political statement. This article reaffirms what I have always believed. As much as the pressure to make the grade as a “real woman” is killing me, the pressure to be ” real men” is killing men and boys. Stereotypes help us make quick decisions, help us size up situations but, stereotypes can also really, really hurt people. Thank you so much for this beautiful gem of an article~~~D.K.

Comment on Soften Up, Men! by Mysti

Mysti — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:05:09 +0000

I don’t think people like James Bond or images of toughness just because of gender, it’s a factor, but it’s good to be tough,
James Bond is also a ‘corny’ character (the way he’s written), and for some people that’s entertaining.

I do realise of course that depriving yourself of biological needs (in this context, social, emotional and intellectual needs) will of course only make you weak, and of course James Bond is never shown to have those needs, it could be argued that it’s the same reason you don’t tend to see characters eat, sleep and whatnot in fiction… it’s not exactly a riveting watch.

Also, I hate to say it, but I do find the video a little patronising…

Comment on Men and the Search for Love by MenAndWomen.

MenAndWomen. — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:53:58 +0000

Awesome

Comment on The White Ribbon Campaign – Breaking Men’s Silence To End Men’s Violence – Statement of Principles by Michael Kaufman

Michael Kaufman — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:01:44 +0000

Thanks Magne. I agree: alcohol certainly can play a role. By lowering inhibitions (or, to put it differently, by lowering our executive brain functions) an individual may be more likely to use violence. He (or she) may have less insight into their own behaviour, less ability to control emotions or deal with feelings. But, I would still argue that, ultimately, alcohol isn’t the cause. Most of us can drink all we want and it does not lead us to use violence. So, alcohol is at best a co-factor in physical, emotional and sexual violence; but I don’t define it as the ultimate cause. In Norway, Canada and in any studies I’ve seen, alcohol is a trigger or a factor in violence. Thanks for your thoughts on this!

Comment on The White Ribbon Campaign – Breaking Men’s Silence To End Men’s Violence – Statement of Principles by Magne

Magne — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:00:49 +0000

You say alcohol doesn’t cause violence and compare it to genes wich also doesn’t cause violence. As if alcohol is to people as genes are to people?

Isn’t it so that what the Norwegian institute for Alcohol and Drug Research says is the truth, that 80% of the violence occurs together with alcohol and up to 50% is caused by alcohol? I think they are reffering to european research when they’re saying that.

Why shouldn’t the fight against violence on women also include fight against the role that alcohol plays?