Can men be feminists?

[boston bean]

[seabeyond]

1. challenge images of traditional manhood, support other men who do

consider feminist issues when voting.

listen to womens voice and take their leadership within a feminist org.

make support public.

talk to other men about ending violence toward women and call out sexist comments, treating women with respect.

sound good

i have gotten weary of the man that claims feminism because he votes for womens rights, but that is the only part of feminism he adheres to. a handful of months prior i would have been the greatest cheerleader for feminist men

[virgogal]

2. Yes. When NOW was established in the 60s the father of a friend of mine

subscribed to their monthly newsletter/magazine and continued to do so until he died 30 years later.

He wanted a better understanding of the situation and the needs of women.

He was a wonderful husband and father.

[mahina]

3. definitely. probably.

My Dad was one. Did all he could to support Mom in her education, which was way more than his B.A. He wanted to help me too but couldn't. Still he wanted to.

He argued for equality for women, though he came from a different generation and I don't think he understood what he expected of Mom. (work, take care of the house, us kids, etc.) when all he expected to contribute through work. Oh, and fighting wars.

Do we have the same standards for feminism in the 21st century that we did in 1970? If so, then I guess definitely not. If not, and there is a curve for effort and the context, then definitely yes.

[boston bean]

4. I would consider my dad one too, however I do not think he would.

He did however have some hang ups. Like he didn't cook, and wouldn't know how to turn on a washing machine or dryer, or iron his clothes.

He was stuck in a gender role in those ways.

However, he was always supportive of women, and was never discriminatory and never used gender slurs. He had four women for daughters that he loved and wanted the best for.

[seabeyond]

5. but, this is really the point. i would not consider my father one at all. he is a good man

would support mom and i in anything. expect more out of me than my brothers. would fight for my rights. and he doesnt get the mispgynist/patriarchal/sexist environment to be considered a feminist. a good man, yes. one that ran a large corporation with strong rules on behavior toward women. nothing less in the environment he ran.

but not a feminist.

[boston bean]

9. Are you saying my father wasn't?

Just curious..... Even though my father was taking advantage of his privilege in some ways, he on the other hand was not sexist. He was helpful to women in their careers. He had more respect for women than he did men. I'm talking in the brain department. He loved a strong womans mind. I guess that's why he married my mum.

It's a strange dichotomy that's for sure. But it's a reality. And one I don't think is that unusual.

Maybe he wasn't....

[seabeyond]

10. nope. i do not know your father. and no, i am clueless. no, i am not saying your father was not.

"I'm talking in the brain department. He loved a strong womans mind. "

on the other hand, look at me. i do the bulk of the work at home. i would NEVER expect hubby to take on dinners as his job. but, he will cook here or there, or the occasion i dont want to cook, we figure something else out.

what i am saying.... is no one can figure this out when we dont know the person and even if we do, for most.

but, there is a difference i think from a feminist and a person who values human rights. i dont think they are the same. and i dont think that makes them less. a good person, is simply, a good person.

[boston bean]

11. Fair enough.

I was just wondering what you thought given my description of him. Which was not enough for someone to make an informed opinion I guess, or maybe it was, based on the info I gave.

Just curious.... Thought maybe I was might have been bias... and was sincerely wanting your opinion

[applegrove]

6. All the men in my family are.

[MadrasT]

7. I think of men who support feminism as either "Pro-Feminist" or as "feminist allies".

The label isn't really what is important. People of all genders can help to further the goals of feminism.

[BlueIris]

8. This man is an awesome feminist:

http://www.nndb.com/people/887/000023818/

[redqueen]

12. Yes, of course.

But to me, being a feminist means more than just believing women are equals, and deserve equal rights, etc. That's just being a decent human being.

To me, being a feminist means you act toward sexism the same way you would act toward racism. In other words, not by ignoring it, engaging in it, rationalizing it, or otherwise enabling it in any way. You do the opposite. You actively oppose it anytime you encounter it. When people complain about being called out on the 'little', 'unimportant', or 'trivial' forms of sexism, I want to spit nails.

[laconicsax]

13. +1

[seabeyond]

14. this is a very good way to explain it. thanks redqueen. nt