The current issue of Skirt magazine is now out, and I have an essay in it that begins like so:
As I crisscrossed the country this summer giving talks and reading from my new book, Sisterhood, Interrupted: From Radical Women to Grrls Gone Wild, women in Birkenstocks, girls in flip flops, and ageless ladies with open faces asked me thoughtful questions about feminism, future and past. And in every audience, there he was, too. Often sitting alone, sometimes with his girlfriend, a brave young son of feminism invariably wanted to know what a new generation’s feminism had to say to a new generation of men.
It’s a question I’ve been asking myself of late. Because I’m gripped by the flipside of that question too: Women have changed so much over the course of the past four decades. Have men? Read more
Alison Piepmeier has an essay in it too!
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2 comments:
It's funny, I have been that sole guy in the audience several times, but I usually don't think to ask this question.
Before I was a Dad, I thought there was a new generation of transformed men. Now that I stay at home part time with my daughter, I have entered a decidedly Mom's World. I now think the public role for men has shifted to make them *appear* more sensitive.
Take for example, the Baby Bjorn. Usually men wear them - at least in pictures - it's their public role of baby carrying. Does this translate to more time spent at home doing housework or child care? I don't think so, and as you say in your article, the research doesn't support it. We seem to have a new generation of men, but one where public and symbolic caring is the norm.
Finally, feminism should have nothing to say *to* the men. If men are feminists, then what practices can they offer to support their sentiment?
I'm really interested in your comment, Marc--and I've actually heard about you from several different friends who read your blog, so I need to start reading it, too!
Loved your article, Debbie, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about and from feminist men, particularly feminist dads, because like you, I've seen a lot of traditional gender roles get reinvoked as soon as friends of mine have kids, and I am desperately determined that this NOT happen to Biffle and me when we procreate (which will probably be sooner than later).
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