Despite the title of the article, the list highlights books that would be a great reading for children of all genders. It is not only little girls who would benefit from literature–and movies, TV shows, etc.–featuring strong, independent, and resourceful women and girl protagonists. Learning that men are not exclusively the main character in life’s… Keep reading...
Empathy is not easily taught, but it can be embodied, modeled, and experienced. Special Education teacher, Chris Ulmer has found a way to build students’ self-esteem by modeling an encouraging and positive atmosphere in his class. Rather than treating “special ed” as a punishment, or a result of failure, Ulmer takes time out of every morning… Keep reading...
Sexism and gender-based violence is normalized in a number of ways in Western culture; one of the most accepted and unseen way is our language itself. For example, it has become widely acceptable to refer to a mixed-gender group of people–or even all women–as “guys.” It may seem harmless, but we must consider the potential… Keep reading...
To be an ally is to assist in other people’s struggle. To be a turncoat, one must acknowledge that their struggle is to foment insurrection within a privileged class. Oppression does not just happen to some people, it is systemic in part because privilege has been internalized and efforts to create equity are resisted. If… Keep reading...
For all its dominance, and dependence on aggressiveness, competition, and strength–physical and emotional–hegemonic masculinity is incredibly fragile. Those who conform to the strictest tenets of hegemonic masculinity, the toxic elements of sexual conquest and domination, and fail to meet them, are the men more likely to engage in domestic and sexual violence, and who then… Keep reading...
When discussing acts of mass violence, the media often portrays the perpetrator as a loner, outsider, social outcast, or some sort of deviant. When in fact these individuals are merely taking masculine socialization to its next logical step. This article highlights how white male perpetrators of mass violence are in fact conformists to norms of… Keep reading...
Statistically speaking, it is incredibly likely that we know, love, and are friends or family with people who have perpetrated sexual violence against a friend, partner, or acquaintance. Coming to terms with that reality is not easy. Accepting that we have a responsibility to them and their partner to speak up may be a difficult… Keep reading...
Toxic masculinity requires that men distance themselves from their romantic and intimate partners, closing themselves off behind walls of isolation and entitlement. Harmful norms of masculinity do not allow for men to connect with their feelings, making it nearly impossible to connect or empathize with the emotional experience of someone with whom they are in… Keep reading...