How can men contribute to gender equality and justice in the world? What can they learn from feminist approaches? How can they break free from the limiting expectations of what a 'real' man should be, and become more fully human? In this episode, we talk to Jens van Tricht, the author of an inspiring book 'Why Feminism is Good for Men', now translated from the original Dutch into English by Liz Waters - and launched with this episode of Now and Men! The book offers an accessible and hopeful perspective on men and masculinities, connecting the personal and the societal, the abstract and the concrete, the theoretical and the practical, the serious and the playful. Jens describes himself as an 'idealist, anarchist, and feminist'. In our discussion, we explore Jens's own journey and how these influences have played out: from childhood questions about gender norms, to teenage angst and punk music, the Amsterdam squatter and anarchist movements - and finding direction through Women's Studies, personal growth and feminist practice. Drawing on these experiences, ten years ago Jens founded Emancipator, an organisation which promotes gender equality and social justice by engaging with men and boys about issues including work and care, violence and safety, sexuality and sexual diversity. Jens is also a board member of the MenEngage Global Alliance.You can find out more about Jens’s work at https://www.jensvantricht.nl and Emancipator at https://www.emancipator.nl/en/emancipator-2/'Why Feminism is Good for Men' can be purchased in English on Amazon, and is also available in Arabic, Dutch, German and Korean: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Feminism-Good-Jens-Tricht-ebook/dp/B0C579ZY14/ref=sr_1_3Follow Jens on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jensvantricht LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensvantricht/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jens.vantricht.7We cover the following topics in this episode:What led Jens to write the book and why feminism is good for men (01:04-05:49)Jens's experiences as a child and how these influenced his thinking about gender (05:49-13:31)His 'journey' into feminism and formative experiences as a teenager, e.g. punk music and the Dutch squatter movement (13:31-20:20)Being a man in Women's Studies (20:20-25:47)What 'men’s liberation'/'emancipation' means (25:47-31:38)Seeing oneself as a human being rather than a man (31:38-35:06)Holding oneself to account as a man (35:06-39:18)Emancipator's approach to working with men (39:18-42:34)Why the process is so important (42:34-48:42)Why relationships, sexuality and intimacy are such vulnerable and insecure domains for men (48:42-51:10)The context of The Netherlands and its upcoming election in debates about masculinity and gender equality (51:10-55:25)Wrapping up (55:25-59:58)

Richard Bliss is an artist and tailor based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the North-East of England. He currently has an exhibition of work on display at Bishop Auckland Town Hall in County Durham called ‘The Quest for the Perfect Shirt’. We recorded this episode in person with Richard in one of the galleries, and thank the curator, Debbie Connell, for making this possible.In our discussion Richard explains how he, as a gay man, seeks to understand masculinity and men’s lives through the process of making shirts, often in public places or community settings, reflecting and responding to conversations with individuals or groups. He guides us through the exhibition, telling us about some of the pieces, the ideas behind them, what they say about contemporary expectations of manhood, how they relate to his own experiences, and the contradictions of a man practising textile art and tailoring and using it as a way to engage with other men.You can visit ‘The Quest for the Perfect Shirt’ at Bishop Auckland Town Hall until Thursday 30th November 2023: https://bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk/gallery/current-exhibition/You can view photos of many of the shirts from the exhibition on Richard’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/richard_bliss_newcastle_/Or his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/richardne001There is more information about Richard and his work here: https://www.richardbliss.co.ukA second exhibition by Richard, ‘Workers’ Thread’, celebrates the contribution of working-class women and men to the history of County Durham, and is also on display in the Town Hall. We refer briefly to this at the end our conversation, and to the ‘The Mural of the Durham Miners’ Gala’ by Norman Cornish, which occupies a whole wall there.  We discuss the following topics in this episode:Why the exhibition is named ‘The Quest for the Perfect Shirt’ (01:25-06:38)Richard’s methods and why he uses shirts as his medium (06:38-11:04)Tailoring in public space and talking to people about masculinity (11:04-13:42)What Richard has learnt from the process (13:42-17:18)Favourite pieces from the exhibition – e.g. working with homeless men (17:18-24:14)The complexities of identity: being gay and being Jewish (24:14-30:50)Men and power at work (e.g. former Liberal Party politician David Steel) (30:50-36:53)How Richard got into textile art and tailoring (36:53-39:45)Ties and gendered power in clothing (39:45-42:41)Art and its social impact (e.g. Grayson Perry, author of ‘The Descent of Man’, 2021) (42:41-45:04)The influence of Durham and North East England, e.g. its working-class, trade union, mining history (45:04-50:01)Why the exhibition is in Bishop Auckland (50:01-55:28)Thinking about the future, and Richard’s next project on older gay men (55:28-59:55)For more information about the unique collection of galleries and gardens that make up the still developing ‘Auckland Project’ in Bishop Auckland including the Spanish Gallery, the Faith Museum, the Castle, the Mining Art Gallery, and the Deer Park, see: https://aucklandproject.org

What is 'patriarchy' and where do its origins lie? How did it become embedded in societies from prehistory to the present? What part do we all play in maintaining patriarchal structures, and can they be dismantled? These are some of the pressing questions we discuss in this episode with Angela Saini, author of a fascinating new book 'The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule' (Harper Collins): https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/the-patriarchs-how-men-came-to-rule-angela-saini?variant=39997855268942Angela is an award-winning British journalist, currently based in New York. She teaches science writing at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, presents radio and television programmes, and has written for National Geographic, the Financial Times, and Wired. In 2022 she was a Logan Nonfiction Program fellow, and a fellow of the Humboldt Residency Programme in Berlin. 'The Patriarchs' follows on from her earlier books, the critically acclaimed 'Superior: The Return of Race Science' and 'Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong'.Website: https://www.angelasaini.co.ukInstagram: https://instagram.com/angeladsaini/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasaini/We cover the following topics in this episode:Defining 'patriarchy' (01:01-02:32)'The Patriarchs' as a title (02:32-03:51)'Patriarchy' as a system (03:51-05:21)Motivations for writing the book (05:21-06:46)Animals and 'natural' male domination (06:46-10:32)Angela's journey exploring gender diversity in how people live (10:32-12:01)Matrilineal societies and why they are important (12:01-15:07)European colonialism and the imposition of patriarchal norms (15:07-16:08)The 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and pre-existing Native American societies (16:08-20:14)Weighing archaeological, anthropological and ancient DNA evidence – the work of Marija Gimbutas (20:14-27:50)Colonial and patriarchal justifications for inequality, e.g. in Athens (27:50-33:43)Rise of the first states: organising around birth rates and defence (33:43-38:37)Putin's Russia as a model of the patriarchal state (38:37-40:54)Complexities of women and men supporting or resisting patriarchy (40:54-42:26)Shifting and reframing ‘patriarchies’ over time, e.g. Afghanistan (42:26-45:37)Hanging onto a positive vision of a radically different world, e.g. Iran (45:37-47:47)Explaining social behaviour and social change beyond biology (47:47-50:01)Angela's current and future projects (50:01-52:55)Conclusion (52:55-58:43)References:Marija Gimbutas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marija_GimbutasIan Hodder: http://www.ian-hodder.com/Gerda Lerner - ‘The Creation of Patriarchy’: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creation_of_PatriarchyJames Scott:

The Spanish women’s football team have shaken the world – first with their incredible World Cup success, then by bringing into question the sexist culture of soccer, stating #SeAcabó ('It's Over') and striking en masse in protest about their treatment by the football authorities. This was after the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, was accused of kissing the striker Jenni Hermoso without her consent on live TV during the final's medal presentation ceremony. In this special extra episode, we speak to prominent Spanish pro-feminist activist Hilario Sáez Méndez about how men have responded to the #SeAcabó movement, and how we can understand these events in the context of wider debates about gender equality, masculinity and men's violence against women in football and Spanish society. Hilario highlights the emergence of a stronger feminist consciousness in recent years, including: The #Cuéntalo ('tell it') movement after the horrific 2016 La Manada ('wolf pack') rape case in Pamplona: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/23/wolf-pack-case-spain-feminism-far-right-voxThe women’s strike in 2018 denouncing sexual discrimination, domestic violence and the gender pay gap: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/08/spanish-women-give-up-work-for-a-day-in-first-feminist-strikeThe 'solo sí es sí' ('only yes means yes') law passed in 2022: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/25/spain-only-yes-means-yes-sexual-consent-bill-expected-to-become-lawHe questions whether the statement by Cadiz's men’s football team - "we are all Jenni" - should in fact be "we are all Rubiales", recognising men's responsibility to address our own sexist behaviour, and that of other men: https://apnews.com/article/sevilla-hermoso-rubiales-kiss-tshirts-73b711b6412c729ec1a320f0f21d60f9Hilario is a sociologist, the President of the Fundación Iniciativa Social (Social Initiative Foundation), and an active member of Red de Hombres por la Igualdad (Men's Network for Equality) and MenEngage Iberia.Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hilariosaezLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilario-sáez-12801928/Read the statement from MenEngage Iberia, expressing their revulsion at the behaviour of Luis Rubiales: https://menengage.org/stories/the-actions-of-the-spanish-football-president-are-unworthy-of-his-position-and-of-the-institution-and-the-sport-he-represents/MenEngage Iberia: https://twitter.com/MenEngageIberiaMenEngage Alliance: https://menengage.orgFundación...

‘The Manosphere’ is a cluster of online groups who oppose feminism and believe that men are the true victims of gender inequality. There has long been backlash towards feminism, but its influence has grown in recent years, facilitated by the internet. Such groups include Men’s Rights and Father’s Rights Activists, Pick Up Artists (who instruct men on how to manipulate women for sex), and Men Going their Own Way (who avoid all relations with women). Incels, or ‘Involuntary Celibates’, have drawn most attention, not least because of a number of mass killings being ascribed to individuals associated with them. So what are Incel communities, why are they a cause of concern, and how should we respond to them? These are some of the issues we explore with expert Dr Lisa Sugiura.Lisa is a Reader in Cybercrime and Gender in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth in the UK. She is the Chair of Hampshire Constabulary's Force Strategic Independent Advisory Group.In 2021 she wrote a book called ‘The Incel Rebellion: The Rise of the Manosphere and the Virtual War Against Women’. It is available to buy or read open access as an e-book here: https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/doi/10.1108/9781839822544Find out more about Lisa’s work: https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/lisa-sugiuraFollow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_sugiuraLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-sugiura-a5214431/Lisa has been working with Tooled Up to develop resources for parents and educators: https://www.tooledupeducation.comShe is a Fellow of the Institute for Research on Male Supremacism: https://theirms.orgRead their recommendations for media reporting on Incels: https://theirms.org/forjournalistsIn this episode we also discuss an article by Alessia Tranchese and Lisa on ‘How Incels and mainstream pornography speak the same extreme language of misogyny’: https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801221996453And the book by Laura Bates, ‘Men Who Hate Women’: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Men-Who-Hate-Women/Laura-Bates/9781398504653Lisa also mentioned the work of Prof Rachel Pain on 'everyday terrorism': https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132513512231We cover the following topics in this episode:What the Manosphere is and why we should be concerned about it (01:00 - 05:21)The ideas and terminology used by Incels (05:21 - 08:28)How women are viewed within Incel communities (08:28 - 09:58)What led Lisa to carry out research in this area (09:58 - 14:02)How she went about conducting her research (14:02 - 15:59)Interviewing men in the Incel community...

Work with men and boys has been growing rapidly in the last 30 years, especially around the issues of preventing violence and abuse, building gender equality, promoting fatherhood, and health and wellbeing. To what extent is this a positive development? What are some of the opportunities, challenges and problems that engaging men and boys brings? And how can this work be delivered most effectively, to have a serious impact in tackling issues such as gender-based violence? There are few experts around the world better equipped to provide answers to these questions than Prof Michael Flood. He gives an in-depth, critical overview of the ‘engaging men’ field, and discusses his own story of being an anti-sexist activist since the 1980s. He also explains why it’s vital to think about issues like pornography and online misogyny in this work, and gives some pointers for parents in how to address these issues with children, and sons in particular. Michael is a Professor in the School of Justice at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. He has written numerous academic publications on issues including violence against women and violence prevention, men and masculinities, pro-feminist men’s advocacy, male heterosexuality, fathering, and pornography. This includes a book with Palgrave Macmillan in 2019, ‘Engaging Men and Boys in Violence Prevention’. He also runs the website XY Online, which is full of resources on men, masculinities and gender politics.More info about Michael’s work: https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/m.floodFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelGLFloodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-flood-5b906713/Read his book: https://xyonline.net/content/new-book-engaging-men-and-boys-violence-preventionCheck out XY Online: https://xyonline.netResources on men’s roles in ending violence against women: https://xyonline.net/content/engaging-men-violence-prevention-key-resourcesRead his articles mentioned in the episode:‘Work with men to end violence against women: A critical stocktake’ (2015) - https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2015.1070435‘Lust, trust and latex: Why young heterosexual men do not use condoms’ (2003) - https://doi.org/10.1080/1369105011000028273In this episode we cover the following topics: Why the ‘engaging men’ field has been growing, and why that’s a good thingKey lessons from research about how to engage with men and boysIssues of concern in the development of this workMistakes which can arise in work by and with men and boysThe tensions of having a public platform as a pro-feminist academic and activistThe usefulness of terms such as ‘toxic’ and ‘healthy’ masculinityTrends in work with men which should give us optimismWhy it’s important to think about pornography when addressing sexual...

How do different groups of men navigate urban life and enact masculinity in the bustling metropolises of contempory Indian society? In this special 30th episode, marking two years of Now and Men, we speak to Prof Sanjay Srivastava and Dr Romit Chowdhury about the ways in which male power and privilege is both threatened and re-asserted in different city spaces in India and beyond, considering issues such as nationalism, consumerism, violence against women, mobility, and relations between men. We discuss Sanjay's recent book, ‘Masculinity, Consumerism, and the Post-National Indian City: Streets, Neighbourhoods, Home’ (Cambridge University Press, 2022), and Romit's which comes out in August 2023, ‘City of Men: Masculinities and Everyday Morality on Public Transport’ (Rutgers University Press).Sanjay Srivastava is a British Academy Global Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at SOAS, University of London, and a Visiting Research Professor at Shiv Nadar University in Delhi. He has published numerous academic books and articles on topics including gender, urban social life, consumerism, middle-class cultures and the relationship between new forms of work and identity. More info about his work: https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/sanjay-srivastavaBuy his book: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/sociology/sociology-gender/masculinity-consumerism-and-post-national-indian-city-streets-neighbourhoods-homeWatch Sanjay discussing his article ‘Thrilling Affects: Sexuality, Masculinity, the City and ‘Indian Traditions’ in the Contemporary Hindi ‘Detective’ Novel’: https://vimeo.com/100405661Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sanjays54451327Romit Chowdhury is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Erasmus University College in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. His research interests are in urban studies, masculinity studies, ethnography, and literary theory. Prior to his research on men and transport he has explored masculinities in the contexts of men's rights movements, sexual violence, caregiving, and men doing feminist research and activism in India.More info about his work: https://www.eur.nl/en/people/romit-chowdhuryBuy his book: https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/city-of-men/9781978829503Watch Romit discussing his award-winning article, 'The social life of transport infrastructures: Masculinities and everyday mobilities in Kolkata': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWK2gbbqfAYFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chowdhury_romitWe cover the following topics in this episode: Why study masculinity and urban life Consumerism and the ‘post-national’ city in India, and what it has to do with genderHarassment and violence towards women in public spacesRomit’s research with male autorickshaw drivers and taxi drivers in...

Between 2016 and 2020, the number of vegans in Europe has doubled from 1.3 million to 2.6 million. More and more people are questioning the consumption of meat and dairy for ethical, environmental and health reasons. The majority of these people are women, but there are a significant number of men who are vegans, too – and over 30% of Europeans say they are consciously eating less meat. In this episode, we explore men’s experiences and motivations for becoming vegan, and how they deal with masculine norms and expectations about food. For instance, veganism and vegetarianism are sometimes portrayed as ‘unmanly’ and effeminate, whilst meat-eating is often associated with strength, virility, and masculinity. The meat and dairy industries are also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions – might the climate crisis and increasing recognition of the harms caused by these industries be leading to changes in the attitudes and behaviours of some men?We speak to Dr Kadri Aavik, who is an Associate Professor of Gender Studies at Tallinn University, Estonia. Kadri has written a book about her research in Estonia and Finland on men and veganism, which has been published this year by Palgrave Macmillan: ‘Contesting Anthropocentric Masculinities through Veganism: Lived Experiences of Vegan Men’. Research for the book was conducted as part of the project ‘Climate Sustainability in the Kitchen: Everyday Food Cultures in Transition’ (University of Helsinki, 2018-2022), funded by the Kone Foundation: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/projects/climate-sustainability-kitchen   Buy Kadri’s book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19507-5Find out more about her research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kadri-Aavik and https://www.etis.ee/CV/Kadri_Aavik/engWe cover the following topics in this episode:Why food and eating are genderedHow to define veganismKadri’s research with vegan men in Estonia and FinlandMen’s motivations for becoming veganKadri’s own relationship with veganismThe connections between meat-eating and masculinityGendered differences in dietsMen’s engagement in household cookingNavigating family relationships as a veganThe influence of patriarchy on human relations with other animalsWhat this has to do with climate change and ‘Anthropocentric masculinities’Barriers to veganism for menThe different contexts of veganism in Estonia and FinlandThe extent to which veganism is a ‘privileged’ phenomenon Achieving institutional as well as individual changeVeganism as a form of activism, not just a ‘lifestyle choice’Impacts of veganism on men’s relationshipsExplainers: Routledge Handbook on Men, Masculinities and Organizations (to be published on 7th November 2023) - https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003193579/routledge-handbook-men-masculinities-organizations-jeff-hearn-kadri-aavik-david-collinson-anika-thymThe UK Vegan Society -

Suicide is a major health and wellbeing issue among men, with the UK suicide rate three times higher for men than women. There are clear links to issues of masculinity here, such as pressures on men to never show ‘weakness’ or emotion, or the idea that it is ‘unmanly’ to struggle with one’s mental health or experience failure. However, the situation is complex. Some groups of men are much more likely to take their own lives than others. The factors at play can vary substantially. And whilst they are less likely to die, women appear to be more likely to attempt to take their own lives and experience suicidal thoughts than men. Professor Jonathan Scourfield talks us through these complexities, and helps us to understand what masculinity has to do with suicide.Towards the end of our conversation, we also talk about other significant aspects of Jonathan’s work in relation to engaging fathers, child welfare, and social work with men more generally. For help and support:In the UK and Ireland, call Samaritans on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie - https://samaritans.orgCALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) can be contacted on 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm-midnight - https://thecalmzone.netThe youth charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org - https://papyrus-uk.orgIn the US, call/text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988 - https://988lifeline.orgIn Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 - https://www.lifeline.org.auOther international helplines can be found at https://befrienders.orgJonathan Scourfield is a Professor of Social Work in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Cardiff, Wales. He’s also a Deputy Director of CASCADE, the Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre. He has conducted an extensive body of research over his career on topics including child and family services, working with men, social work education, identity and religion in children, and suicide and self-harm. More info about Jonathan’s work: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/38087-scourfield-jonathanFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/j_scourfieldRead his paper, ‘Suicidal Masculinities’, in the journal Sociological Research Online (2005): https://www.socresonline.org.uk/10/2/scourfield.htmlHe also refers to the influential book he co-wrote with Brid Featherstone and Mark Rivett, ‘Working with Men in Health and Social Care’ (Sage, 2007) -

Jackson Katz has long been a major figure in the growing global movement of men working to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence. He has also written and broadcast extensively about the central role of masculinity and gender in shaping political debates in the United States. With politics ever more polarised, authoritarianism and political violence – especially towards women – are becoming increasingly normalised, and figures such as Donald Trump and conservative media outlets are playing into patriarchal definitions of manhood and the family to appeal to the public.Jackson is an educator, author, lecturer, and social theorist. He is the author of ‘The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How all Men Can Help’, and ‘Man Enough? Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and the Politics of Presidential Masculinity’. He has also created a series of educational documentaries including ‘Tough Guise’, ‘The Bystander Moment’ and ‘The Man Card’. In 1993, Jackson co-founded Mentors in Violence Prevention in the United States, a widely influential gender-based violence prevention programme which instigated the ‘bystander’ approach. He also has a PhD in Cultural Studies and Education. Jackson recently founded the online advocacy organisation and guerrilla think tank, ‘Men for Democracy’, as a way to amplify the voices of men who support reproductive justice and democratic governance, and oppose rising authoritarianism and the increase in violence and misogyny in politics. Find out more about Jackson’s work: https://www.jacksonkatz.comThe ‘Men for Democracy’ campaign: https://menfordemocracy.comRead Jackson’s commentary pieces at Ms Magazine: https://msmagazine.com/author/jkatz/Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jacksontkatzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksontkatzLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-katz-ph-d-b7785b3/Watch his TEDx Talk, ‘Violence against women – It’s a men's issue’, which has received more than 5 million views: https://youtu.be/KTvSfeCRxe8We discuss the following topics in this episode:The extent to which men are facing a ‘crisis of masculinity’ in countries like the US today (01:32 - 10:14) Why Donald Trump appeals to so many people, especially white working-class men (10:14 - 16:29)How US presidential campaigns have increasingly become the centre stage for debates about masculinity (16:29 - 28:51)How media such as Fox News have exploited patriarchal gender norms and contributed to political polarisation (28:51 - 34:18)Increases in threats of political violence, especially towards women, and how men should respond (34:18 - 40:26)The - often ignored - relationship between masculinity and gun violence in the US (40:26 - 49:49)What gives Jackson hope and motivation to continue doing this work (49:49 - 58:04)Why pro-feminists should be more ambitious in countering the seductive appeal of ‘men’s rights’ advocates such as Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson (58:04 - 01:02:55)

Responding to serious public concern following the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer, together with multiple other deeply disturbing incidents, Baroness Casey’s recent independent review of London’s Metropolitan Police has highlighted institutional misogyny, racism and homophobia in the force. The review found serious failings in the Met’s leadership, recruitment, vetting, training, culture and communications, and made widespread recommendations for restoring public trust.In this episode, we talk to Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), about their response to the ongoing revelations coming out of the Met and Britain’s police forces; what needs to be done to take forward efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in the UK at this critical moment; and the contribution men and boys can make to that.The End Violence Against Women Coalition is a group of feminist organisations and experts across the UK, working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. It’s made up of over 135 specialist women’s support services, researchers, activists, survivors and NGOs. Andrea has worked at EVAW since 2017, and before that she campaigned on issues such as child trafficking and modern slavery and spent more than a decade working for Members of Parliament.Find out more about EVAW: http://evaw.org.ukTwitter: https://twitter.com/evawukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/endviolenceagainstwomen/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evawuk/Follow Andrea on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreaSimon48We cover the following topics in this episode: The Casey Review of the culture and standards of behaviour within the Metropolitan Police, and responses to it (00:55 - 04:52)The gendered ways in which police resources are distributed (04:53-07:58)The extent to which reforming the police is possible (07:58-10:41)Seeking radical change whilst pushing for action in the here and now (10:41-13:05)Why prevention work is so important and what more needs to be done (13:05-16:57)The role of schools in prevention, and EVAW’s #AboutTime campaign (16:57-20:22)The contribution men and boys can make to ending violence against women (20:22-24:03)Tensions which can arise when working with men and boys (24:03-25:43)Shifts Andrea has observed during her time in the violence against women sector (25:43-30:03)What keeps Andrea motivated and hopeful in doing this work (30:03-32:26)Why an intersectional, anti-racist approach is so important (32:26-36:20)The impact of anti-immigration rhetoric on efforts to support victim-survivors (36:20-39:09)Backlash to gender equality from figures such as Andrew Tate (39:09-42:45)Tackling online abuse, and the UK’s Online Safety Bill (42:45-44:50)Bringing about political action (44:50-48:42)Why a feminist approach is so valuable (48:42-52:02)Further resources:EVAW’s #AboutTime campaign: https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/campaign/abouttime/EVAW’s campaign against online abuse:

Some people migrate in search of work or economic opportunities, to join family, or to study. Others to escape war, conflict, persecution, or human rights abuses. Increasingly, people move in response to climate crises and natural disasters. Despite these realities, migration and migrants are often portrayed negatively by the media and politicians, with policy and legislation made more and more restrictive. Many of these people are men - however, migration is rarely discussed in relation to gender and masculinity. Migrating men are often perceived in purely economic terms, or as a ‘threat’, linked to criminality, sexism, and terrorism. But what do we know about these men’s actual experiences, and how they navigate masculine expectations and power relations? This is what Dr Katarzyna Wojnicka has explored in her research, particularly with a large yet under-discussed group – that of Eastern European men migrating across Europe from countries such as Poland. Katarzyna is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, based in the Department of Sociology and Work Science, and the Centre for European Research. She’s also an Editor in-Chief for NORMA, the International Journal for Masculinity Studies.Find out more about Katarzyna’s research: https://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/katarzynawojnicka and https://katarzynawojnicka.com Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrKandTheMen Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarzyna-wojnicka-787a7072/ In this episode we cover the following topics:Why men and migration is a topic worth studyingThe main pieces of research Katarzyna has conducted in this area, such as her research on ‘transnational bachelors’The vulnerabilities arising from migrationWhy there has been little attention towards Eastern European men in research on migration in EuropeResearching this topic as an ‘insider’Why Katarzyna left PolandWhy she decided to research men and masculinitiesAttacks on women’s and LGBTQ+ rights in PolandSingle male migrants’ constructions of masculinityThe problems with ‘protective masculinity’What ‘hybrid masculinity’ means in the context of migrationWhy a ‘spatial’ approach is vital to understanding masculinitiesImproving public policy responsesThe war in Ukraine, refugees and genderPolitical discourses about migration in the UKFurther reading:Here is a selection of papers by Katarzyna which we discuss in the episode:‘Migrant men in the nexus of space and (dis)empowerment’ (NORMA, 2017): https://doi.org/10.1080/18902138.2017.1342061‘Self-positioning as a man in transnational contexts: constructing and managing hybrid masculinity’ (NORMA, 2017): https://doi.org/10.1080/18902138.2017.1341768 'Research on men, masculinities and migration: past, present and future’ (NORMA, 2019): https://doi.org/10.1080/18902138.2019.1622058 ‘Boyz2Men: Male migrants’ attitudes to homosexuality and what age has to do with it’ (Boyhood Studies, 2020):

War and militarism often play a central role in the construction of dominant, ‘desirable’ ideas about masculinity. So what happens when men refuse to take part in the militarisation of society, and become conscientious objectors? Dr Demet Aslı Çaltekin has researched this with people who have conscientiously objected against compulsory military service in Turkey. We were planning to interview Demet before the horrific earthquakes in Turkey and Syria took place, and she very kindly agreed to speak to us about the impact and response, amidst the mixture of emotions that many feel at present. Whilst the main focus of media and popular attention is rightly on the disaster and its aftermath, it is also an opportunity to highlight some of the other complex issues at the heart of Turkish society. We therefore talk with her not only about her research on militarism, but also how the feminist movement in Turkey has been creatively campaigning against femicide and violence against women.Demet is an Assistant Professor in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice in the Law School at Durham University. She has recently written a book called ‘Conscientious Objection in Turkey: A Socio-legal Analysis of the Right to Refuse Military Service’, published by Edinburgh University Press.Find out more about Demet’s research: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/demet-a-caltekin/Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemetCaltekinOrder her book, and save 30% with the discount code NEW30: https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-conscientious-objection-in-turkey.htmlRead her 2022 article, ‘Women’s organisations’ role in (re)constructing the narratives in femicide cases: Şule Çet’s case’: https://doi.org/10.3390/laws11010012Please consider donating to organisations in Turkey/Syria undertaking relief efforts in response to the earthquakes: UK Disasters Emergency Committee: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appealTurkish Red Crescent: https://www.ifrc.org/article/turkiye-and-syria-earthquakes-ifrc-response-dateINARA – International Network for Aid and Assistance: https://inara.orgWhite Helmets Syria: https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/In this episode we cover the following topics:The impact of the earthquakesThe relief efforts and the national and international responseWhat military service in Turkey involvesWhat led Demet to do this research, and think differently about militarisationThe conscientious objectors who took part in her research and their motivationsHow Turkish society responds to people who conscientiously objectThe right to conscientious objection, and its legal and social consequencesHow militarism and nationalism fit into Turkish historyWhat militarism and refusing to participate in it has to do with masculinityHow and why Turkish women engage in conscientious objectionParallels with...

What can a historical and global perspective teach us about feminism and gender relations? How have men engaged with women's movements over the course of their history in the UK and beyond? And how have anti-sexist men dealt with the challenging questions feminists raise about our emotional and sexual lives within patriarchy? These are some of the questions Professor Lucy Delap has explored in her fascinating research.Please note that this conversation features some discussion of sexual violence, in particular between minutes 32 and 39.Lucy is a Professor in Modern British and Gender History at the University of Cambridge, where she is a Fellow of Murray Edwards College. Her research has principally focused on the history of feminism, and in 2020 she published the book ‘Feminisms: A Global History’. Lucy has also worked extensively in labour history, with a focus on the intersections of gender, class and disability. She helped create the ‘Unbecoming Men’ and ‘The Business of Women’s Words’ oral history collections at the British Library. She and colleagues were awarded the Royal Historical Society Public History Prize in 2018 for their work on child sexual abuse. Find out more about her work here: https://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/people/prof-lucy-delap, and follow her on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/suff66.In this episode we explore the following topics: What a historical perspective brings to our understanding of feminism, gender, and masculinities (00:42 - 02:47)How we can study the history of people’s intimate lives and the ‘private sphere’ (02:47 - 04:21)What led Lucy to become involved in studying gender, feminist history, and men’s responses to it (04:21 - 09:11)Lucy’s research on men who became involved in anti-sexist activism in the UK in the wake of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970s/80s (09:11 - 14:21)Why the nature of men’s pro-feminist political organising has changed over time (14:21 - 18:02)How and why the ‘men’s movement’ splintered off into different directions (e.g. mythopoetic and ‘men’s rights’ activism) (18:02 - 23:52)Why issues of emotion, such as guilt and shame, are so important in understanding men’s engagements with feminism (23:52 - 33:45)Men reflecting on and reconfiguring their ‘sex lives’ and the male gaze in response to feminist activism against sexual violence (33:45 - 43:48)The value of adopting a global perspective on feminist movements (43:48 - 49:25)Lucy reads from her book ‘Feminisms’ about the work of Nigerian feminist activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (49:25 - 55:07)Further reading:Lucy’s book, ‘Feminisms: A Global History’ (Penguin, 2020) - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/305361/feminisms-by-delap-lucy/9780141985985Information about Lucy’s ‘Unbecoming Men’ British Library project - https://www.bl.uk/womens-rights/articles/male-allies and https://www.bl.uk/sisterhood/articles/mens-reponses-to-womens-liberationLucy’s article, ‘Rethinking rapes: Men’s sex lives and feminist critiques’ in Contemporary British History (2022) -

For over 10 years, Beyond Equality have been engaging with young men in the UK to give them a chance to reflect on who they want to be, and how they can help create safer and more inclusive communities. This was originally through two different organisations: the Good Lad Initiative in universities and Great Men in schools. Since then they have become Beyond Equality, and now work with men and boys in a range of different settings and communities across the UK. Dan Guinness, the Managing Director, was one of the founders - he talks to us about the journey the organisation has been on, and what they have learnt about how to engage men and boys in transformative conversations about issues such as gender equality, relationships, violence against women, and mental health.Dan has an academic background, holding a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Oxford. He discusses with us some of the fascinating findings from his research on the links between sport, masculinity, global economic inequalities and neo-liberalism, and how this is embodied in the current Qatar 2022 men’s football World Cup. In addition, he explores the possibilities for healthy and inclusive environments to be created within sport, and his own powerful story of how he came to be involved in gender equality work.  You can find out more about Beyond Equality at: https://www.beyondequality.orgTwitter: https://twitter.com/beyond_equalityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_equality/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondequality1Follow Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danguinness/We cover the following topics in this episode: Dan’s personal journey of getting involved in issues of gender equality, masculinity and violence preventionThe extent to which egalitarian, non-violent cultures can be created in sportHow the rise of neoliberalism since the 1980s together with ‘breadwinner’ expectations have pressured young men in the Global South to become involved in professional sportHow Beyond Equality started and has changed over time, and the work it’s doing nowThe importance of good quality facilitation in work with men and boysHow Beyond Equality evaluate the impact of their work Future plans, including a new project with Movember about men’s mental health and collective resilience (more info: https://www.beyondequality.org/blog-posts/announcement-collective-resilience-in-community-settings-project-funded-by-movember) How debates in the UK about masculinity and violence against women have shifted in recent years, and what still needs to change at the policy levelMore information:You can access much of Dan’s research here: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Daniel-Guinness-2126813915Besnier, N., Calabrò, D.G. and Guinness, D. (eds) (2021) Sport, Migration, and Gender in the Neoliberal Age. Abingdon: Routledge.

Gary Barker has been a trailblazer in the field of men and masculinities for over thirty years. He is the co-founder and CEO of Equimundo (formerly known as Promundo-US and Instituto Promundo), which does a wide range of innovative work and research with men and boys for gender justice across the globe. We explore his own personal story of how he came to be involved in efforts against violence and for gender equality, and how his own ‘journey’ overlaps with the development of the organisations he has led. As well as hearing from Gary about some of the exciting current elements of this work, we discuss the political turbulence in the United States (where he is based) and Brazil (where he has lived for over fifteen years) in the midst of elections in the two countries. Gary also shares with us his experience of writing fiction, and the conversation ends with him reading a passage from his novel ‘The Museum of Lost Love’.Find out more about Equimundo and follow them on social media via https://equimundo.orgOn 8th November 2022 the Global Boyhood Initiative launched a report called ‘The State of UK Boys’ - read it here: https://boyhoodinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/State-of-UK-Boys-Long-Report.pdf (pdf)Watch the launch event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efxq6M9ESAMFind out more about Gary’s fiction writing: https://garytbarker.comWe discuss the following topics in the episode:How Gary became involved in working on issues of masculinity, violence and gender equality in the first placeGary’s PhD in Developmental Psychology, which researched young men’s experiences of growing up in societies with high levels of violence, and led to the book ‘Dying to be Men’ (more info:https://www.routledge.com/Dying-to-be-Men-Youth-Masculinity-and-Social-Exclusion/Barker/p/book/9780415337755#)The history of Equimundo, and how Gary’s personal story maps onto thatThe International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) survey and generational shifts that can be observed from itThe Global Boyhood Initiative – a collaboration with the Kering Foundation, Gillette, Plan International, and Meghan Markle (the Duchess of Sussex) and her new podcast ArchetypesCaring masculinities, the MenCare global fatherhood campaign, and why caregiving is such an important part of engaging with men and boys The political turmoil in the United States surrounding the midterm elections - from the attack on Capitol Hill, to the rolling back of abortion rights, to the ever-increasing toll of gun violenceConnections with the masculinist right-wing populism of the Bolsonaro government in BrazilThe four fiction books Gary has written and how they connect to his other workGary reads out and reflects on a passage from his novel ‘The Museum of Lost Love’ (2019), which is influenced by a real museum, the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb (more info: https://www.worldeditions.org/product/the-museum-of-lost-love/) More information:The Global Boyhood Initiative:

In this special 20th episode, Sandy and Stephen reflect on the year since we started Now and Men, and our experience of running the podcast so far. The episode was recorded live at a workshop at a conference called 'Boys at the Crossroads – Insights and Innovations in Young Masculinities', organised by Bristol Young Men’s Network in the UK on 14th October 2022. We discuss why we set the podcast up in the first place, what it has achieved thus far, and the role that podcasts and other media can play in engaging with men and boys about gender equality and influencing constructions of masculinity. In the second half of the episode, we also respond to a range of questions from the workshop participants.The conversation was facilitated by Yaz Brien, who’s involved in Bristol Young Men’s Network, and has worked across the frontlines of homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol recovery and domestic abuse, as well as on community reuse and nature-based projects. They’ve also been involved in grassroots organising and activism across multiple continents, including in worker, housing and community cooperatives. Many thanks to Yaz and the workshop participants for their brilliant contributions! If you would like to put a question or comment to us to discuss in a future episode, do contact us at nowandmen@gmail.com. Yaz is involved in the Transition Network: https://transitionnetwork.org/people/yaz-brien/, and has previously been a presenter on Ujima Radio, Bristol's Black-led community radio station: https://www.ujimaradio.comFind out more about Bristol Young Men's Network: https://www.facebook.com/BristolYMN/. In the episode we also mention talks at the conference by Lewis Wedlock: https://www.lewiswedlock.com, and Nate Eisenstadt: https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/nathan-eisenstadt We discuss the following topics:Why we set up Now and MenWhat we wanted to achieve with the podcast, and how successful it's been so farThe response we've received, and what we know about Now and Men's audienceWhat's particularly excited us from the guests we've spoken to far, in relation to the conference theme of young masculinitiesHow to have conversations about masculinity without creating further polarisationWhat the role of feminism is in the podcastHow podcasts differ from other mediums and forms of engagementWhat we've learnt from the process and how it's changed usAdvice for others looking to start a podcastWho we have in our mind's eye when creating the podcastWith the following questions from participants:How skills from academia can help with setting up a podcastHow universities don't always provide welcoming environments for disadvantaged studentsConnections between the diversity of our guestsHow to deal with the limitations of what a podcast can achieveShould we strive for 'healthy masculinity', or seek to move away from it altogether?Difficulties with challenging gender stereotypes as parentsHow a historical perspective can help us understand how gender is constructed

What impact does domestic abuse have on boys when growing up? Why is it that so many young men who are ‘on-road’ or involved in gangs have experienced domestic abuse in the home as children? If the boundaries between being a ‘perpetrator’ and a ‘victim’ of violence are not always as clear cut as we might think, what implications does this have for trying to prevent violence from happening in the first place? We explore these challenging questions and more with Dr Jade Levell, who has recently written a book on her research entitled ‘Boys, Childhood Domestic Abuse and Gang Involvement: Violence at Home, Violence On-Road’, published by Bristol University Press in June 2022.Jade is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Gender Violence at the University of Bristol, and is part of the Gender and Violence Research Centre there. Prior to her research career she was based for over ten years in organisations working to end gender-based violence, including a refuge for women and children, a rape crisis centre, and other projects supporting survivors.Find out more about Jade’s work at https://jadelevell.com. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JadeLevell, and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jade-levell-88099830/. Buy her book: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/boys-childhood-domestic-abuse-and-gang-involvementWe cover the following topics in the episode: The impacts domestic abuse has on boys (01:17 - 02:56)What childhood domestic abuse and gang involvement have to do with each other (02:56 - 11:33)What Raewyn Connell’s concept of ‘protest masculinity’ means and how it was relevant in Jade’s research (11:33 - 14:56)Why and how Jade uses ‘music elicitation’ in her work (14:56 - 18:41)Why when talking about serious youth violence, we rarely think about gender (18:41 - 21:37)The implications of Jade’s research for policy and practice on preventing violence (21:37 - 24:44)The ‘cycle of violence’ theory (24:44 - 28:00)The police killing of Chris Kaba and the impacts of stereotypes about young Black men (28:00 - 32:12)Why Jade decided to carry out research on domestic abuse and boys and men in the first place (32:12 - 36:54)Researching these issues as a parent (36:54 - 40:16)What effective work with domestic abuse perpetrators looks like (40:16 - 49:25)Three songs which help to tell Jade’s own life story (49:25 - 53:13)Further reading:Piece by Jade for Transforming Society, ‘Invisible child victims of DVA become hyper-visible in gangs’ - https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2022/06/13/invisible-child-victims-of-dva-become-hyper-visible-in-gangs/Summary of policy recommendations from Jade’s book - https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2022/06/13/policy-briefing-boys-childhood-domestic-abuse-and-gang-involvement/Read more about Jade’s music elicitation method in the journal Sociological Review -

How can we engage with men in the workplace about gender equality and masculinity? Sebastián Molano deals with this question on a day-to-day basis at Oxfam America, where he has facilitated a regular ‘men-identified’ group for the last 4.5 years, discussing men’s role in relation to gender justice issues such as privilege, accountability, and decolonisation. The group was established in part in response to sexual misconduct and power abuses by Oxfam staff which were uncovered in Haiti and other countries in 2017 and 2018.Sebastián has been working at Oxfam America for over 5 years, and now leads their efforts to translate intersectional feminism commitments into practice. He has over 16 years of experience in the international development field, working in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean. Sebastián also discusses the Defying Gender Roles initiative he set up, navigating the challenges of fatherhood in a patriarchal society, and how workplaces should do more to encourage caregiving. Originally from Colombia and now living in Boston, we ask Sebastián about responses to the overturning of the landmark 1973 Roe vs Wade abortion rights ruling in the US. Our conversation concludes by exploring the implications of Colombia recently electing its first ever left-wing president, and Sebastián’s experience of growing up in a society riven by conflict.You can follow Sebastián on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianmolano/ and Twitter: @JuanseMolano. Find out more about Oxfam America: https://www.oxfamamerica.org. Read about the Defying Gender Roles project: https://www.defyingenderoles.org, and follow it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/defyingenderoles/, and Twitter: https://twitter.com/DefygenderolesWe cover the following topics in this episode:Sebastián’s reflections on 4 years of fatherhood and trying to be a ‘feminist dad’Men’s experiences of parenting, our relationships with our own fathers, and with patriarchyThe men-identified group Sebastián facilitates at Oxfam AmericaKey lessons and advice about running a group discussing masculinity in the workplaceAddressing the loneliness and lack of connection many men feelChanging the culture at Oxfam after cases of sexual misconduct in Haiti and other countriesPromoting caregiving among men in the workplaceAttacks on abortion rights in the USThe recent election results in Colombia and what it means for gender equalityWhy Sebastián set up Defying Gender RolesFurther resources relevant to the episode:Sebastián’s piece, ‘How to become a feminist dad: Four years later’ - https://www.defyingenderoles.org/master-in-love/2022/8/5/how-to-become-a-feminist-dad-four-years-laterbell hooks (2004) ‘The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love’ - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Will-to-Change/bell-hooks/9780743456081David Spiegelhalter, ‘I’ve been meeting with the same group of men for 36...

Prisons can be hyper-masculine, harsh, hierarchical environments where there is a lot of pressure to be tough, never show weakness or emotion, and be prepared to use violence in order to survive. But is it possible to work with men in these spaces to unpack the rigid, restrictive expectations of masculinity that boys and men learn from wider society – and which might have played a part in why they are in prison in the first place? We talk to Dan Boyden, lead facilitator on the ‘Man Up’, ‘Family Man’ and ‘Fathers Inside’ programmes run by the UK charity Safe Ground, about how they do this in their work. We discuss how, in order to reduce crime, perhaps we need to not only work with individual men in prison, but also change prison cultures and the criminal justice system more broadly.Safe Ground design and deliver arts-based programmes for people in prison and the community. Find out more (pdf): http://www.safeground.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Safe-Ground-A-Vision.pdf. Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Safe_Ground and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safe_ground/Dan Boyden is also the director of an organisation called The Change Collective, which brings together creative practitioners seeking to use the arts as a tool for social change: https://www.thechangecollective.com. Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-boyden-4517542b/. He has given a TED Talk on ‘Creativity and the Alchemy of Groups’: https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_boyden_creativity_the_alchemy_of_groupsWe cover the following topics in this episode:What the ‘Man Up’, ‘Family Man’ and 'Fathers Inside' programmes are about, and what Safe Ground’s work with men in prisons involvesChallenges involved in doing group work with men in prisonHow the prisons themselves interact with Safe Ground’s workShifts in penal policy in the UK towards more punitive responsesWhy Dan and Safe Ground use arts-based methodsEngaging with men in prison about fatherhoodWhat impacts the work has on the men who take partThe need for more engagement with men and boys across society about masculine norms and expectationsHow Dan got involved in working on masculinity issues, and the impact the work has on himFurther reading:‘Treatment of UK prisoners during Covid meets UN definition of torture’ (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/20/treatment-of-uk-prisoners-during-covid-meets-un-definition-of-tortureMaslow’s hierarchy of needs: https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.htmlTheatre of the Oppressed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_the_Oppressed, and its founder, Augusto Boal: