I started a project early in the Fall where I was interviewing men who are Feminists. My goal was/is to find out what makes them feminists as well as how feminism applies to and informs their day to day lives.
I chose to interview two of my former high school teachers who identify as feminists, supporters of equality for both sexes! I chose them because they were my teachers when I first became aware of the concept of feminism and realized that I identified as a feminist. In fact it was my History teacher, Mr. Whelan, who asked the class, "who in this class considers him or herself self to be a feminist?" My friend Lauren and I were the only people to raise our hands. Mr. Whelan then said, "so the rest of you don't think that women deserve to be paid the same amount of money for doing the same job as a man?" This is when I got a much clearer picture of what feminism is really about. I think a lot of the girls did. Several girls said "I thought that feminism meant "FemiNazi" or bra burning..." I am not sure if the boys in the class had any revelations or not; but that day in history class definitely stuck with me. When I started doing this project which is still in progress, Mr. Whelan was the first person I wanted to interview.
I found out later that my middle school and high school drama teacher, Mr.Boyd also identifies as a feminist and I wanted to interview him as well. These men were involved with my life and learning during very formative years, I am interested in chatting with them now as an adult about their views on feminism.
So without further adieu, the interviews:
Mr. Whelan
Q: When did you become aware that you are a Feminist?
A: I suppose that my college experience was formative. Almost everyone I knew in college ascribed to Feminist views. I remember that I had a good friend who took Women's Studies classes, and we had several discussions on the general topics. My Medieval History professor was an expert in gender and sexuality issues. I also remember seeing Bella Abzug speak and attending at least one major rally in Washington DC dealing with Feminist issues.
Q: Did you grow up in a household that held Feminist values or eschewed traditional gender roles?
Q: Many misinformed people see being male and being Feminist as mutually exclusive; how do you think having Feminist values as a male has shaped your relationships with other men and women?
A: This area may be where I diverge what many people associate with Feminism. I am comfortable among a wide range of people and have a wide sense of tolerance. Being among religious conservatives, for example, doesn't bother me. I remember being part of a group that included an older evangelical woman whose views were mostly 17th century. At one point, however, she made a very impassioned argument, grounded in scripture of course, for why women's intellectual and spiritual views should be elevated to at least those of men. I am willing to be surprised then by how people rarely fit a preconceived notion. I have been frustrated with people who stereotype those who stereotype them. For the most part it is an issue of semantics and politics where the divergence occurs. Although misogyny is widespread, almost everyone today in western culture takes for granted the basic assumptions of human equality and proper treatment.
Q: In your everyday life, as an educator, how does your interest in the equality of women and their contributions to history manifest itself? (i.e. Incorporating it into your lesson plans etc.)
A: I deal with issues of gender consistently in my approach to teaching. Practically every week we discuss concepts of family and gender. One issue that I emphasize is that what they consider traditional gender roles has more to do with mid-20 century assumptions rather than 10,000 years of economic pursuits by women. Most women through most of world history had economical productive labor. I also bring in an essay by a modern North American teenager who decides to strengthen her Muslim faith by adopting the Hijab dress standards. She argues that it give her freedom and a great sense of gender equality. Students as they either support or contradict the argument generally use Feminist values as a starting point. I always find it interesting.
Q: As a father how do you incorporate Feminism and societal gender role awareness into your parenting?
A: I am a father of boys and see that role as pretty important. A shift has happened with teenage leadership in the past fifteen years or so. I asked a group of high school teachers recently how many of them taught in schools with a male student body president. People giggled nervously as no one raised a hand. Twenty years ago the big focus among Feminists was the gap in especially science and math learning for girls. That gap has frankly disappeared with the younger generation. Over 70% of our National Honor Society, for example, is female, many of whom are science and math oriented. I'm not at all ready to offer a theory, but as a parent of boys I am disturbed that so few boys are identifying themselves as leader or as scholars. Look at modern Russia--incredibly ambitious and achieving young women with generations now of mediocre men. The result is not good for their families, for their country, or for Feminist values. A more backwards modern country for Feminism is hard to imagine.
Mr. Boyd
A: About 20 or 21...when I was in college. I'd studied in London, England for a year and when I came back I had a new and different perspective on what are now called feminist values.
Q: As an actor and a feminist what is your take on sexism and the extreme "feminine" and "masculine" gender roles portrayed in Theater? Why do you think that there are so few leading roles for "character actors", both men and women and do you think that basing characters on stereotypical images of masculinity and femininity is overly simplistic for the purpose of appealing to the non-thinking masses? Is there hope for change?
A: The theatre is one part of the entertainment industry. This industry thrives on sex appeal and youth. However, when actors like Maggie Smith, Jessica Tandy, Helen Hayes and the like started showing us that on stage and in films older actors could still sell a role (not to mention tickets), small steps were made to encourage writers, producers, and the public to explore new ideas. The baby boom generation is the largest consumer group ever to have existed on this planet. Since the boomers are still with us in force and are still a viable factor as an audience, perhaps more character type roles will emerge.
Q: Is the idea of, and the ideal that surrounds the quintessential "ingenue" as the object of every mans affection damaging to women?
A: Many men see women first and foremost based on their youth and physical features. I'm not sure if the image of an "ingenue" is damaging to women or flattering to them. I think women try to compare themselves to young models and poster girls , and this too could be a damaging factor in overall self-esteem.
Q: As an educator, what kind of advice would you have for other educators about how to effectively communicate the importance of gender equality to students in the classroom and even call out sexism when observed? How can male teachers serve as role models to their male students in this respect?
A: Some very easy lessons learned even in the first year of teaching - like when hands are raised in the classroom to answer questions, alternate calling on boy, girl, boy, girl. Same thing when asking kids to do special presentations or the like...boy, girl, boy, girl. Establish classroom rules and expectations the very first day of class - constructive criticism only. No put-downs. The hardest kind of bullying to monitor and to stop is that directed at gay and lesbian students. It's always behind the teacher's back and not blatant enough to jump into. But any teacher who's put in more than a few years of classroom time knows when this kind of prejudice and teasing is being practiced. Male teachers and female teachers need to know that the best way to influence behavior is to create a tone or a dialogue or a sense of tolerance that makes every kid in their class, even the redneck bullies, say "wow, I'd sure like to be like that".
Q: You have two sons; did you and your wife at some point discuss how to raise them to value gender equality as well as let them know it is ok not to fit into the stereotype of what the media would have you believe constitutes "masculinity?"
A: My two sons received very good role and gender model examples from the start. They are lucky. Liberal and educated parents, two grandmothers, two grandfathers, several cousins both male and female, and many very good teachers along the way have contributed toward making them young men who are secure in their masculinity but who are not afraid of strong women.
I have learned a lot from these interviews. I am not sure if some of my questions didn't translate well because they were done through email rather than in person or if the perspective of a male feminist simply sees feminism and its principles through a different lens. As I mentioned previously, this is a project in progress; I think it is going to take many more interviews to find the answers to my questions. I am not sure exactly what I am searching for either but I think it has something to do with whether or not male and female feminists are on the same page and how we can help each other in the quest for equality. Additionally I am interested in creating awareness that there actually is such a thing as men who are feminists while relating the true spirit of feminism. Feminism has everything to do with equal rights, representation and opportunity; it really has nothing to do with bra burning and man hating. Ironically I feel like the more men that are on board with this concept, the less of a dirty word feminism will become. I am looking forward to further exploration and more interviews.
