Could not agree more with all you write here. What fourth wave feminism needs to focus on (beyond needs of planet/climate justice, etc.) is the obstacles to, and paths forward for men to grow. What makes it hard for them to join men's groups, engage in rites of passage? How can schools start exploring and supporting healthier, more resilient boys? What can they do to provide "affirmative action" in this department, given how patriarchal masculinity grows its roots in teenhood and makes it so hard for boys to learn a different way - especially with algorithms. That's a HUGE job. I'm working on writing about it and it's like starting from square one and navigating gale force winds just to get the message out! Thanks for starting it here and sharing this basic, but foundational analysis.
Thinking about a right path for men to find beingness as well as doing this, I think about soccer, Bo and rifle hunting, building a house, mastering a trade, fixing things. I think of playing music in groups. Drumming circles. I think of activities in groups of men that involve presence, not just meditation but paying attention directly to a material challenge. War has given men a way to work in groups, use their bodies, be required to pay full attention, and risk. I should say " the masculine" not men as women may enjoy these ways of acting. Perhaps it's a question of the quality of attention, the masculine narrow focused on a specific point, the feminine wide focused on the system. Hunting is a specific point of focus, gathering is a wide focused activity. I don't think the direction should solely be identified as men being able to develop their sensitive side, but working in ways that align with their natural strengths. And both ways of being serve the community, make the community more whole. This isn't a theory, it's just what occurs to me reading your thoughts
Really thought provoking article. Generally I see a certain sterotype (which I won't name/describe) as the eco-warrior type. I didnt see it as a place for masculinity to flourish. But framing protection of the planet as a noble, masculine endeavour really resonates with my personal view on masculinity. Thanks for broadening my perspective.
Could not agree more with all you write here. What fourth wave feminism needs to focus on (beyond needs of planet/climate justice, etc.) is the obstacles to, and paths forward for men to grow. What makes it hard for them to join men's groups, engage in rites of passage? How can schools start exploring and supporting healthier, more resilient boys? What can they do to provide "affirmative action" in this department, given how patriarchal masculinity grows its roots in teenhood and makes it so hard for boys to learn a different way - especially with algorithms. That's a HUGE job. I'm working on writing about it and it's like starting from square one and navigating gale force winds just to get the message out! Thanks for starting it here and sharing this basic, but foundational analysis.
Glad to know you are working on this. Please share your writings with us when you're ready to!
Thinking about a right path for men to find beingness as well as doing this, I think about soccer, Bo and rifle hunting, building a house, mastering a trade, fixing things. I think of playing music in groups. Drumming circles. I think of activities in groups of men that involve presence, not just meditation but paying attention directly to a material challenge. War has given men a way to work in groups, use their bodies, be required to pay full attention, and risk. I should say " the masculine" not men as women may enjoy these ways of acting. Perhaps it's a question of the quality of attention, the masculine narrow focused on a specific point, the feminine wide focused on the system. Hunting is a specific point of focus, gathering is a wide focused activity. I don't think the direction should solely be identified as men being able to develop their sensitive side, but working in ways that align with their natural strengths. And both ways of being serve the community, make the community more whole. This isn't a theory, it's just what occurs to me reading your thoughts
Really thought provoking article. Generally I see a certain sterotype (which I won't name/describe) as the eco-warrior type. I didnt see it as a place for masculinity to flourish. But framing protection of the planet as a noble, masculine endeavour really resonates with my personal view on masculinity. Thanks for broadening my perspective.