Men Masculinities And Feminism Summary

The article, “Men, Masculinities, and Feminism” explains that men can be privileged in society but still lose privilege because of certain characteristics that oppress them. The authors, Christopher J. Greig and Barbara A. Pollard (2017) elaborate this explaining that even though men have power based on their gender, their privilege is challenged and ranked within their sex. This can be seen by a social hierarchy that oppresses those who aren’t considered to be as masculine as other Men. Men are pressured by other men to perform actions that are masculine, such as displaying dominance by being aggressive, to secure a higher status. Throughout their life, they are constantly fighting to prove their masculine standing in society so that they …show more content…
We are being taught to be oblivious of this problem. Women are being silenced without realizing it because society normalizes certain oppressive behaviours, such as the inability to access crucial services that help them to support themselves. The makers, the National Film Board of Canada (2012) further explains how this occurs through lack government aid and programs. The status of women is affected by giving birth. They are being put in to a position where their ability to provide for their children is compromised because of the expensive cost associated with it and the government does not provide sufficient subsidizations. Another factor that silently oppresses women is the increasing costs of childcare. Without childcare, women are unable to join the workforce. Alongside their lower pay compared to men, single mothers are especially at risk of being below the poverty line since most of their pay would go towards paying for childcare, leaving less money to provide for other necessities. Oppression by exploitation of women by other women also exist in the form of childcare with private, live-in caretakers that families of higher salaries practice. Women from third world countries that are of lower social status are being abused by …show more content…
The entire film was packed with information that addressed the ways women were silently oppressed within our society. I find it notable that we don’t realize the various ways that this is happening because these actions are so normalized in our culture that it is easy to disregard the struggles women are facing. There were many issues addressed in the video that I, myself have overlooked throughout my life. I did not realize that access to services such as affordable childcare, pro-choice in abortion, and proper support from the government were large factors in pursuing gender equality. Women are being oppressed when they are prevented from accessing these services. Giving birth to a child should not drastically change the status of females. It is unfair because their gender is given the majority, if not all, of the work to support the child. How do we provide more awareness to forms of silent and normalized oppression? I would also like to know more about how far our society has improved in addressing this and where would I find sources elaborating our society’s progress? What are some ways in my life that I could do to encourage positive feminist