2008 Woodie Awards
Kimmel speaks about gender
Issue date: 2/15/05 Section: News
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WCU?s LUVIM series and Man-Up!, a new campus organization raising awareness of men?s issues and challenging male stereotypes, concluded Men?s Issue Day on Thursday night in Philips Autograph Library by hosting a sociologist, professor, and pro-feminist male who encouraged men to support women?s issues and erase masculine stereotypes.
Dr. Michael Kimmel, who teaches sociology at the State University of New York and is recognized for his course Sociology of Masculinity, outlined ways in which women?s lives have changed and said that men must adapt and support such changes to better their own lives and existence.
Kimmel stated that today women make gender visible, and it is a "basic, fundamental, bedrock"part of their identities. Because of gender visibility, women?s studies courses have formed across the country and women?s roles have progressed.
Women?s lives have also changed because they?ve entered the work force in great numbers over the last few decades, and women realize that it is possible to be able to work and support a family. Today, women?s lives have also changed sexually, and they are no longer ashamed to want sex and pleasure, according to Kimmel.
Kimmel blamed male gender stereotypes and the notion of masculinity as obstacles to male happiness and also reasons why males may be hesitant to support female issues. He said that men are raisedto avoid being labeled as a sissy and are taught by their peers and the media to be edgy and aggressive. Men also prove their masculinity by their money and pay checks.
"What it means to be a man means the same today as it did 40 years ago," said Kimmel. He said that men trap each other within masculine stereotypes by degrading each other or labeling a male "gay" when he may show emotion or act like a "sissy." "Proving our masculinity becomes a relentless test," he said.
Yet Kimmel stated that men need to take greater responsibility and support women. He encouraged men to adapt and accept the major, positive changes that have occurred in women?s lives. For instance, men should not feel threatened by women entering the work force. Instead, men should make women feel comfortable and equal.
Dr. Michael Kimmel, who teaches sociology at the State University of New York and is recognized for his course Sociology of Masculinity, outlined ways in which women?s lives have changed and said that men must adapt and support such changes to better their own lives and existence.
Kimmel stated that today women make gender visible, and it is a "basic, fundamental, bedrock"part of their identities. Because of gender visibility, women?s studies courses have formed across the country and women?s roles have progressed.
Women?s lives have also changed because they?ve entered the work force in great numbers over the last few decades, and women realize that it is possible to be able to work and support a family. Today, women?s lives have also changed sexually, and they are no longer ashamed to want sex and pleasure, according to Kimmel.
Kimmel blamed male gender stereotypes and the notion of masculinity as obstacles to male happiness and also reasons why males may be hesitant to support female issues. He said that men are raisedto avoid being labeled as a sissy and are taught by their peers and the media to be edgy and aggressive. Men also prove their masculinity by their money and pay checks.
"What it means to be a man means the same today as it did 40 years ago," said Kimmel. He said that men trap each other within masculine stereotypes by degrading each other or labeling a male "gay" when he may show emotion or act like a "sissy." "Proving our masculinity becomes a relentless test," he said.
Yet Kimmel stated that men need to take greater responsibility and support women. He encouraged men to adapt and accept the major, positive changes that have occurred in women?s lives. For instance, men should not feel threatened by women entering the work force. Instead, men should make women feel comfortable and equal.
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