I am a male feminist.
I know it can be stupid to complain that one is part of what is considered normal or on top of society, but the fact is that gender roles hurt every part of society. I like to describe it as women being bound in a sphere and men being stuck on a pedestal. Leaving our roles, even a little bit, will end up with us being derided and even hated.
I feel like I am in a prison of privilege. Like I constantly have to hold up this ideal of a strong, emotionless man. I can’t cry. I can’t not know what to do. And of course, I can’t complain that I’m stuck in this role I never chose because my role happens to be considered better by society than any alternative.
I have had a somewhat strained relationship with my father at times. In part this is because of our differing political views, but much of that stems from his expectations of gender. I self-identify as a mostly straight cisgender male, but I acknowledge that most of my actual personality is more feminine than masculine.
But back to my dad. He often gripes that men in today’s society have to be touchy and sensitive bleeding hearts and that there’s no place for the “man’s man” who is overly tough and a strong and competent leader who lets no emotion impede his progress. When I hear that kind of talk, a little part of me breaks inside. Because every time I am told I must be some independent übermensch because I happened to be born with a dick.
So yes, I’m a feminist because life sucks for women and the lgbt community. I’m a feminist because aspects of my race and body image let me see what it’s like to feel marginalized and othered. I'm a feminist because I enjoy studying sociology and seeing how much we are effected by things outside of our control. I’m a feminist because I believe in equality and fairness.
But I think it’s important to note that feminism has something to offer men. We need feminism because the abolition of gender roles would free men to take whatever path we choose just as it would with women or any other gender.
