By Taylor Nigrelli
Opinion Editor
Men have a role to play in the gender equality movement and a reason to play said role. As it does most weeks, social media disagrees with that assertion.
In the wide-ranging, expansive Twitterverse of unfunny, joke-and-meme-stealing parody accounts, one stood out this week – The Meninist.
This account, satirically fighting for the rights of men, is meant to be the opposite of feminism. Obviously, it is meant to be taken as humor, but many have taken the message to heart.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise – feminism is a taboo word on the internet these days. To identify yourself as a feminist is to open yourself to harassment, anger and anonymous death threats, especially if you’re a woman.
This anger stems from – among other issues – a lack of understanding. Feminism isn’t often thought of as gender equality and vice-versa. That’s an issue.
Gender equality doesn’t just mean a better life for women – it means eliminating gender biases for men too.
Emma Watson touched on this in her brilliant United Nations speech – men have plenty to gain by eliminating gender roles.
Men are far more likely to commit suicide than women. Researchers tend to believe this stems from the idea of masculinity. Men aren’t supposed to ask for help. Men aren’t supposed to cry. Men are supposed to be strong, to be leaders. Men’s inability to live up to the masculine standards set by other men leads to anger, depression and frustration.
While women are more likely to be struck with depression, the disease still prominently shows up in males. However, men are far less likely to seek help or treatment. This leads to the abnormally-high difference in suicide rates between men and women.
This is one of many issues that could be settled through the gender equality movement. While women are fighting for fair wages and to end rape culture (and rightfully so), men should take heed.
The feminist movement shouldn’t be considered a “war” on men or an affront to male dominance. It should be viewed as an opportunity to create healthy relationships between men and women. It should be taken as an opportunity to change the way masculinity and femininity are viewed.
Men shouldn’t feel the need to show constant aggression or to assert their toughness. Women shouldn’t feel that they have to behave in a certain way, lest they be deemed “manly”.
Women shouldn’t fear walking alone at night or being blamed if they are attacked or wronged in some way.
Men shouldn’t fear being viewed as “soft” or “not manly” for seeking help or showing emotion.
Gender stereotypes hurt everyone. Men should play a role in bringing them to an end.
Taylor Nigrelli is the Opinion Editor of The Bona Venture. His email is nigreltn11@bonaventure.edu
