Critical Masculinity Reading Group – #07

On 20th January, we will host the next session of our Critical Masculinity Reading Group.

While we normally like to meet in person at the aequa Community Centre in Wedding, due to social distancing rules we’re hosting our meetings online for the time being. Please register at the link below before 18:30 if you want to join us. We will e-mail you the login around 15-30 minutes before the meeting starts, so keep in mind to check your inbox. https://airtable.com/shr57PTnic2g9Ylot

At our next meeting, we will read Jared Sexton’s book ‘The Man They Wanted Me To Be’ (prologue + chapters 1-3). The discussion will be in English.Please let us know if you have any needs in regards to the accessibility of the book. We’re glad to help!

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Event info from the organisers:

In this group, we want to reflect on the social construction of masculinity, and how it can be improved. We want to create a space to reflect on our experiences of our own masculinity.

Masculinity is a complex concept with a huge influence on people’s lives. It affects identities, relationships, mental health and overall wellbeing. One’s masculinity can be harmful to others, becoming a source of oppression, aggression and bullying. It can also be harmful to the masculine individual themself, limiting their emotional development and ability to properly connect with the people they care about. Critically reflecting on one’s masculinity can help reduce the damage this social construct inflicts, while also paving a way toward greater happiness and self-realisation.

There are people who grapple with their own masculinity and who ask themselves what being masculine means for them. Looking for answers on the internet, one easily encounters movements such as the “manosphere” or “red pill,” which promote misogyny and are breeding grounds for the alt-right. Their terms, such as “beta male,” have become part of everyday language. We don’t want to give these groups the power to promote their harmful interpretation of masculinity. We see the Critical Masculinity Reading Group as an opportunity to build and promote a positive, 21st century interpretation of masculinity through our discussions.

With this group, we are trying out something we haven’t done before. It’s our first experience running a group like this and we rely on your help, mindset and input.

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In our first meeting, we made a decision together that we will not tolerate racism, cis-sexism, ableism, ageism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia or other hateful opinions or behaviours. We avoid making assumptions about others in the group and while sharing our experiences we strive to respond with care and empathy.