Mens Rights Movements

I had never heard of any mens rights movements that seemed like a legitimate group working towards a justifiable cause, and frankly, I didn’t see a need for any. This chapter was very eye opening, and I saw plenty of good as well as plenty of bad in the chapter.

            I was very delighted to read more about profeminist and anti-violence groups. I feel these groups are important, and more people should pay attention to them and the lessons that they teach. It gives me some hope for the future to know that there are other men out there who are willing to organize for the rights of women, and are working towards equality for all. However, I was also mildly disappointed when reading about masculine rights movements. I don’t feel it’s my place to judge how other people feel, or what they feel they should be working towards, but the idea that there are men out there who feel like they are having their masculinity oppressed does worry me, because I don’t know how they might define their masculinity. While I would hope that these groups don’t advocate or encourage men being misogynistic in any way, there’s no way to know how members take the meaning of the group. I do believe that men can be masculine while still respecting everyone around them, and treating everyone equally, but I also know from personal experience that many men who act overly masculine think that it gives them the right to treat women or other groups poorly.

            Another set of groups discussed in the chapter were fathers rights groups. This is a complex issue, and I don’t know where I stand exactly with the situation, but I do agree with some of the things these groups advocate for. I believe that after a separation, courts should take a case by case basis when deciding custody matters, because men can be every bit as capable of raising a child as women are. Often times, courts will automatically side with the mother, and this may not always be the correct decision. I hope that in the future, rational decisions can be made when it comes to custody, as every situation is different.