DETOXING MASCULINITY IN 2019 AND BEYOND

We need to go beyond narrow conceptions of gender to understand the drivers and manifestations of violence against women, girls, boys and men. It is frustrating that development programming dwells much on women leaving the integral part of engaging male counterparts.

This is not to belittle the issue of violence against women and girls at all, which is huge. But so much funding goes into programmes which are set up in a discursive binary that sees women only as victims and men as perpetrators. Young males, arguably, could be the victims of violence, sexual and otherwise in certain settings, but we will never know until we conduct exploratory, sound research which is not limited by these discourses. Masculinities and behaviours differ across countries, cultures and contexts. Gender is associated with power, and being a man confers power and often a higher status in society or better income.

Power can also mean that one gender assumes a lesser role than the other. Masculinity can mean behaving in a particular way because of assumptions as to how real men act, and a rejection of alternative masculinities. Not all masculinities are equal, and men with lower incomes often see themselves as having less power. Different social, economic and cultural interpretations of masculinity and rigid gender norms that link masculinity with power over women continue to be a significant factor in leading men to engage in gender-based violence.
The role of men, as providers, is mostly seen as a universal norm and work is core to an understanding of unemployment, low income or lack of status in society can fuel low self-esteem and a sense of failure as a provider.

Feelings of inadequacy can lead men and boys to turn to substance abuse, migration, depression and dangerous sexual behaviours. Gender-based violence becomes a demonstration or reassertion of male power in order to re-establish status. Being a male in today’s society is not about living and enjoyment, it has become more of a task. Social pressures and social media have made it difficult for males to live a life in which they are not being pressured to act or perform in a certain way. In order to reassure themselves of their masculinity, violence has become the main method in assuring themselves and those around them that they are powerful. Not only is this violence being perpetrated against others, but self-inflicted violence also exists. The violence being used is not only physical but it is emotional abuse as well.

Masculinity has forced many males to perform in ways that are detrimental to their own health as well as their loved ones. Furthermore, it has also put males in conflict with the law when we look at the aspect of criminality, alcohol and drug abuse. The definition of masculinity is misinterpreted and shows men that in order to be respected, power must be applied upon others and intimidation is the only method of gaining this respect. Through the use of this power and intimidation, girls and women are often oppressed and kept under the control of men. As men we should strive to change the need of the male, for women to gain human dignity, to eat, to enjoy life, to procreate. Let not the service of sexual conduct be a weapon for said benefits. We should help them not to be confined to that function.

Women should not be wholly instrumentally of exploitation. A lot of us, men, use power over women to reassure manliness and to portray masculinity. This violence is not only present in households. It is also present in masculinity versus nature in a capitalist society, where the environment must be altered and destroyed for economic gains. It appears that violence against nature, that is, the impossible and disastrous drive to dominate and conquer the natural world, is integrally connected with domination among humans. Supporting the education of girls and boys is considered an important tool for development of the society and if society is developed it will take active part in the development of the nation. When girls and boys are educated they will be able to look and fight the negative issues faced by them in a positive manner and not in a militant way.

Education is the main source to develop a healthy mind-set to face the positive and negative things in society. Women should be educated so that they can be able to discriminate the ups and downs they come to face. Gender inequality should be treated well, because if the thought of who is at a superior position should be erased from the mind-set, and the violence will be automatically decreased.

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