What Kind of Man are You?

Every person that has heard me teach or speak on the subject of abuse against women and children, whether it be rape, intimate partner abuse, verbal/emotional abuse or the exploitation of females, has heard this come from my lips:

“why must we constantly be told and continue to think that this issue is a female issue? Domestic violence, gender violence, exploitation of women and children is not a women’s issue. This is a man’s issue that we as females have been combating for centuries. How many rooms are we going to fill with women that are learning protection methods to feel safe?  Will we ever find as many men willing to fill a class on how to understand and respect gender violence for what it truly is?”

Labeling these social issues as “female” issues gives men an out in the conversation.  It allows them to disengage in a subject matter that is centrally and primarily about men. I have attached a link to a moving presentation by Jackson Katz regarding the role that men play in the overall subject of gender violence.  I strongly encourage you to watch it and have the men in your life watch it also.  Many of us women do have loving and caring men in our lives, but with direction and education we can arm these thoughtful men, many of which are fathers also, with a powerful way to make change in their families, social structures and eventually in their communities.

Many times I have also said in a presentation or in class to “listen closely to the language of the men that populate your world.”  It has been proven that crime prevention is best done through early education for those that are “at risk”.  As a man or young boy in the society of today, a society where the objectification of females is a reality, this form of education is a MUST for all. After all, is there anything more attractive to a female than a strong, independent male that fights for the rights to live with strong independent females?  I don’t think so.

http://www.upworthy.com/a-ted-talk-that-might-turn-every-man-who-watches-it-into-a-feminist-its-pretty-fantastic-7?c=upw1