Feminism and Men

What is men's position in the feminist story? Are men villains or victims? Whilst the answer is both and neither both genders are still seen in terms of these kinds of unhelpful categories and while feminist waves have ensured that in theory at least, many women are now able to do the things that used to be done only by men, the reality of how men are seen and see themselves has changed very little across the globe.

Many young women exist in a world very different from that of their grandmothers. In many countries they can vote and stand for Parliament, earn money, have the choice of who they want to marry, or whether to marry or not. In others, there has been a backlash against these rights, but even here, most women recognise that these rights exist even if they cannot claim them. But what about men? Though they still hold the power in the boardroom, in parliament and often in the family too, their attitudes towards women - and towards themselves - have often changed very little over the decades. Has feminism itself left some men confused and others angry with concerns that 'men are losing out'?

Nikki van der Gaag is an independent writer and consultant based in the UK who has held senior editorial and communications posts in the non-profit sector including Oxfam, The New Internationalist and the Panos Institute. She specializes in writing about gender, refugees and poverty. Recent and current clients have included the DFID, the MenEngage Alliance, New Internationalist magazine, Oxfam GB, Plan International, the Single Parent Action Network, the Women's Budget Group, Oxford University's Young Lives research programme and Refugee Studies Centre. Recent books and reports include Because I am a Girl (2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011) Plan International; 'Speaking Out: Case studies on how poor people influence decision-making' Oxfam/Practical Action 2009; 'The No-Nonsense Guide to Women's Rights' New Internationalist 2008; 'How the World Came to Oxford: refugees past and present' Oxford Literary Festival, March 2007.

1. Neither Villains Nor Victims? Setting the Context
2. Why Can't Boys Wear Skirts? Family Attitudes and Growing Up
3. Not One Man but Many Men - Different Kinds of Masculinities and Femininities - LGBT Issues
4. Blame and Shame - What Prevents Boys and Men from Breaking the Stereotypes?
5. Patriarchy and Power - Race and Class and Poverty and how this Relates to Gender
6. Gender in the Development Debates and how Men are Left Out
7. Caring and Sharing - Fatherhood, Housework and Paternity Leave
8. Jobs for the Boys? - Effects of the Economic Crisis, Where and Why Women are Doing Better Than Men, but also the Glass Ceiling
9. It Takes Guts - Fear and Violence and how Men and Women are Working Against It
10. Hot Like Me - Sex and Sexualisation of Young People, Lap Dancing and the Rise of Internet Porn
11. A Direct Line to God? - Religion and Culture
12. Conclusion - What Next? How Do Men Benefit from Gender Equality? What Will Make Change Happen?