Misunderstanding is gaining momentum

This blog is a response to an article entitled "Masculinism is gaining momentum" by citizen journalist Dr Lalit Kishore from India. In his article, the author says that, in the process of empowering women, society has begun to discriminate against men.

The author makes a couple of good points. We do need to recognise, for example, that when men are victims of domestic violence they are often ridiculed. Domestic violence laws should ensure all victims are treated with dignity and all offenders are prosecuted to the same extent, regardless of gender. The author, however, draws very simplistic and divisive conclusions about the nature of the men's movement for gender equality.

The author perceives that projects of women's empowerment have been "focusing on the domination of women over men". This is a very simplistic understanding. Projects to empower women are usually based on principles of affirmative action to redress past wrongs and dismantle institutionalised discrimination, not to subordinate men. His fears that "men [are] being oppressed by new hierarchical structures" and that "the scales have turned in favour of women" are totally unfounded.

The opinions expressed in this article are very divisive. The discourse is all about us (the men) and them (the women), not about equality, which is the true goal of the men's movement. The author pitches the "masculinist" movement in opposition to the feminist movement. Feminism is a highly political project to free women from the discrimination and injustice they face as a result of patriarchal power structures. The aim of the movement the author describes here is to push women back into traditional sex-roles where they can be no threat to men's power and privilege.

It really does seem that misunderstanding is gaining momentum!