I think as a man your receptivity to feminism is governed by 3 major interconnected factors (additional factors are derivatives of this primary 3, IMO).
- Is your notion of equality between the sexes sentimental or substantive? Is your claim as a respecter of women mere sentiment or does your behavior and actions substantively reflect this.
- Is the foundation of your masculinity built upon the assumption of a natural superiority in relation to women? Is your ego and self esteem built on the notion of men being superior to women and does it form a core part of your identity?
- The level of your internalised patriarchal conditioning and your malleability or resulting rigidity to the fluidity of gender assigned roles. Do you believe gender roles are automatic and preordained and any attempt to expand this remit violates some preeminent law and tantamount to sacrilege?
The degree to which you hold these beliefs and values will largely determine your receptivity to feminist discourse and activism. Evaluating myself against the 3 prescribed factors how do I personally measure up?
- My notion of equality between the sexes is substantive, logical, instinctive and assumed as the natural state of being between the 2 sexes (gender is a fluid continuum but I’ve restricted it here to two for simplicity purposes). To contextualize: I view women as potential partners (romantic & non romantic) and potential competitors but I *do not* ultimately view them as adversaries.
- The foundation of my masculinity is built upon the belief of my *inherent* capability as a human being. The feedback from action and reality continually confirms the belief I have in my capability and thus a positive feedback loop begins and perpetually reinforces itself.
- I have always being an independent thinker; the patriarchal notion of inherent male superiority to women was therefore never acceptable. My reality couldn’t confirm it, it contradicted it. My instinct couldn’t accept it either and as a consequence found it unconsciously unacceptable.
Although I refrain from labeling myself a feminist, I do believe it has a valuable contribution to make to the world and it will be a part of our collective reality for decades and perhaps centuries to come. The better men become accustomed to this new reality and adapt to it, the better.