The relation between feminism and men is often presumed to be antagonistic, so that men are expected to resist feminism, and feminists are assumed to hate men. That pattern of opposition is disrupted, however, by the continually increasing numbers of men who are participating in feminist theory and practice, trying to integrate feminist perspectives into their scholarship, teaching, work, play, friendships, and romantic involvements.
Responses to this male feminism have varied. Sometimes male feminists find some female feminists critical of men who oppose or decline to join feminist projects, but also rebuff the few men who do undertake feminist projects.
On the other hand, some women feminists have unequivocally welcomed men as allies in political, business, religious, and academic contexts. The essays in Men Doing Feminism reveal that there is justification for both views, the skeptical and the enthusiastic, because feminist men are as diverse as feminist women.
Many of the eighteen contributors to this book–women, men, blacks, whites, gays, straights, transsexuals–use personal narrative to show ways that men’s lives can shape their approaches to doing feminism and to convey the opportunities and challenges involved in integrating feminism into a man’s life.
Some authors argue that men’s experiences prepare them to make contributions that are of crucial importance to feminist theory. Others argue that men must radically reform, or even abandon manhood and masculinity if they are to be feminists.
In Men Doing Feminism, feminist theory is used to illuminate men’s lives, and men’s lives serve as a basis for feminist theory.
Contributors: Michael Awkward, Susan Bordo, Harry Brod, Tom Digby, Judith K. Gardiner, C. Jacob Hale, Sandra Harding, Patrick Hopkins, Joy James, David Kahane, Michael Kimmel, Gary Lemons, Larry May, Brian Pronger, Henry Rubin, Richard Schmitt, James P. Sterba, Laurence Mordekhai Thomas, and Thomas E. Wartenberg.
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About the author
Tom Digby writes and lectures on topics related to gender. His most recent book is Love and War: How Militarism Shapes Sexuality and Romance (Columbia University Press), which won the 2017 Choice Academic Title award.
In Love and War, Digby describes how emotional toughness and misogyny structure masculinity in militaristic cultures, with broadly destructive social ramifications.
His previous book is Men Doing Feminism (Routledge). Digby’s multimedia lectures have been enthusiastically received by audiences in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
His articles for philosophy journals have been on Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Hobbes, and other traditional philosophical topics. Tom Digby is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Springfield College. His website is www.tomdigby.com.
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Love and War: How Militarism Shapes Sexuality and Romance
Ideas of masculinity and femininity become sharply defined in war-reliant societies, resulting in a presumed enmity between men and women. This so-called “battle of the sexes” is intensified by the use of misogyny to encourage men and boys to conform to the demands of masculinity.
These are among Tom Digby’s fascinating insights shared in Love and War, which describes the making and manipulation of gender in militaristic societies and the sweeping consequences for men and women in their personal, romantic, sexual, and professional lives.
Drawing on cross-cultural comparisons and examples from popular media, including sports culture, the rise of “gonzo” and “bangbus” pornography, and “internet trolls,” Digby describes how the hatred of women and the suppression of empathy are used to define masculinity, thereby undermining relations between women and men—sometimes even to the extent of violence.
Employing diverse philosophical methodologies, he identifies the cultural elements that contribute to heterosexual antagonism, such as an enduring faith in male force to solve problems, the glorification of violent men who suppress caring emotions, the devaluation of men’s physical and emotional lives, an imaginary gender binary, male privilege premised on the subordination of women, and the use of misogyny to encourage masculine behavior.
Digby tracks the “collateral damage” of this disabling misogyny in the lives of both men and women, but ends on a hopeful note. He ultimately finds the link between war and gender to be dissolving in many societies: war is becoming slowly de-gendered, and gender is becoming slowly de-militarized.
Tom Digby is the author of Love & War: How Militarism Shapes Sexualityg and Romance (Winner, 2017 Choice Outstanding Academic Title, published by Columbia University Press). Here is what philosopher Sandra Bartky, author of Femininity and Domination, said about the book:
“Love and War is a joy to read, indeed, a page turner. Tom Digby opens up a whole new way of understanding the problems intrinsic to heterosexual love, as well as the impact of misogyny in the everyday lives of men and women.
His compelling descriptions of the interplay of gender and militarism will significantly alter the way we understand masculinity, sexuality, romantic love, misogyny, and even war itself.
For specialists in gender studies like myself, Love and War will be recognized as a major and profoundly stimulating contribution to our field. The book will also appeal to a broad audience, thanks to Digby’s highly engaging, conversational writing style.
“Dr. Digby’s public presentations about the intersections of masculinity, militarism, love, sexuality, and feminism have been widely praised as moving, profound, stimulating, and entertaining (see the “Lecture Comments” tab above.) Faculty and students often remark on the lasting impact that his talks have on audiences.
Tom Digby is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Springfield College and has served as U.S. Advisory Editor of the journal Men and Masculinities since it was founded in 1998.
His previous book was Men Doing Feminism (Routledge). Digby’s early publications were on Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Kant, and ethical theory, but for the past 30 years he has written, lectured, and taught primarily about gender topics.
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