Male ally

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A male ally (often referred to simply as an ally) is a man who actively supports gender equality and equal civil rights. Individuals may meet this designation through their actions without actively identifying as an ally. [1]

Contents

Historical background

The earliest recorded instances of male allyship were acts carried out by the Men's League for Women's Suffrage in the UK and its sister organisation the Men's League in the US. Men within these groups, including James Lees Laidlaw and Henry Brailsford provided critical support to the women’s suffrage movement, including speeches, fundraising and lobbying government officials. [2]

During the second wave of feminism in the 1970s, anti-sexist men’s groups such as Men Against Patriarchy (MAP) in Australia formed, and men such as George Brewster and Walter McFall actively advocated for women in engineering with their roles as part of the Society of Women Engineers. [3]

In more recent history, international organizations such as the White Ribbon Campaign, He For She and the MenEngage Alliance advocate for men to engage in allyship. Small but growing number of men around the world are becoming involved in gender equality activism, including the prevention of violence against women and girls and tackling sexism in the workplace. [4]

Present day

The term entered widespread use during the 2010s, in large part due to the MeToo movement. Its usage has grown, becoming especially common in diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, since the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent international protests in May 2020. Its use has also increased through those who work within occupational sexism such as Good Guys author Brad Johnson, Lee Chambers of Male Allies UK and sociologist Michael Flood. [5]

Criticism

The term has faced some criticism, with potential allies overestimating the impact they are making, taking space from women in their desire to support and centering themselves without realising the implications of this. [6]

Notable male allies

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexism</span> Prejudice or discrimination based on a persons sex or gender

Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but primarily affects women and girls. It has been linked to gender roles and stereotypes, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is intrinsically superior to another. Extreme sexism may foster sexual harassment, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. Discrimination in this context is defined as discrimination toward people based on their gender identity or their gender or sex differences. An example of this is workplace inequality. Sexism refers to violation of equal opportunities based on gender or refers to violation of equality of outcomes based on gender, also called substantive equality. Sexism may arise from social or cultural customs and norms.

Liberal feminism, also called mainstream feminism, is a main branch of feminism defined by its focus on achieving gender equality through political and legal reform within the framework of liberal democracy and informed by a human rights perspective. It is often considered culturally progressive and economically center-right to center-left. As the oldest of the "Big Three" schools of feminist thought, liberal feminism has its roots in 19th century first-wave feminism seeking recognition of women as equal citizens, focusing particularly on women's suffrage and access to education, the effort associated with 19th century liberalism and progressivism. Liberal feminism "works within the structure of mainstream society to integrate women into that structure." Liberal feminism places great emphasis on the public world, especially laws, political institutions, education and working life, and considers the denial of equal legal and political rights as the main obstacle to equality. As such liberal feminists have worked to bring women into the political mainstream. Liberal feminism is inclusive and socially progressive, while broadly supporting existing institutions of power in liberal democratic societies, and is associated with centrism and reformism. Liberal feminism tends to be adopted by white middle-class women who do not disagree with the current social structure; Zhang and Rios found that liberal feminism with its focus on equality is viewed as the dominant and "default" form of feminism. Liberal feminism actively supports men's involvement in feminism and both women and men have always been active participants in the movement; progressive men had an important role alongside women in the struggle for equal political rights since the movement was launched in the 19th century.

This is an index of articles related to the issue of feminism, women's liberation, the women's movement, and women's rights.

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Antifeminism, also spelled anti-feminism, is opposition to feminism. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, antifeminists opposed particular policy proposals for women's rights, such as the right to vote, educational opportunities, property rights, and access to birth control. In the mid and late 20th century, antifeminists often opposed the abortion-rights movement.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Alliance of Women</span> International non-governmental organization

The International Alliance of Women is an international non-governmental organization that works to promote women's rights and gender equality. It was historically the main international organization that campaigned for women's suffrage. IAW stands for an inclusive, intersectional and progressive liberal feminism on the basis of human rights and liberal democracy, and has a liberal internationalist outlook. IAW's principles state that all genders are "born equally free [and are] equally entitled to the free exercise of their individual rights and liberty," that "women's rights are human rights" and that "human rights are universal, indivisible and interrelated."

Equity feminism is a form of liberal feminism that advocates the state's equal treatment of women and men without challenging inequalities perpetuated by employers, educational and religious institutions, and other elements of society. The concept has been discussed since the 1980s. Equity feminism has been defined and classified as a kind of classically liberal or libertarian feminism, in contrast with social feminism, difference feminism, gender feminism, and equality feminism.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feminist movement</span> Series of political campaigns for reforms on feminist issues

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Gender inequality is any situation in which people are not treated equally on the basis of gender. In the United Kingdom, some people say women are unequally impacted by economic policies, face different levels of media attention, and face inequality in education and employment, which includes a persistent national gender pay gap. Furthermore, according to numerous sources, there exists a pervasive lad culture which has decreased the ability of women to participate in different parts of society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HeForShe</span> Solidarity movement for the advancement of gender equality

HeForShe, often referred to as He for She, is a solidarity movement for the advancement of gender equality initiated by the United Nations. Grounded in the idea that gender inequality is an issue that affects all people, socially, economically and politically, HeForShe is a global effort that seeks to involve men and boys in achieving equality by taking action against negative gender stereotypes and behaviors. Its logo represents the union of women and men working together to achieve gender equality, by joining together aspects of both the female and male symbols.

Feminism in South Korea is the origin and history of feminism or women's rights in South Korea.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feminism in South Africa</span>

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Feminism and racism are highly intertwined concepts in intersectional theory, focusing on the ways in which women of color in the Western World experience both sexism and racism.

References

  1. "Definition of ALLY". www.merriam-webster.com. 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  2. "Men's League for Women's Suffrage". Spartacus Educational. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  3. "A Look at Male Allyship, Past and Present - All Together". 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  4. "Anti-sexist men's groups: An XY collection | www.xyonline.net". xyonline.net. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  5. Johnson, W. Brad; Smith, David G. (2022-08-05). "Men, Stop Calling Yourselves Allies. Act Like One". Harvard Business Review. ISSN   0017-8012 . Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  6. Smith, David G.; Johnson, W. Brad; Lee, Kim Graham; Thebeau, Jeanette (2022-10-07). "Research: Men Are Worse Allies Than They Think". Harvard Business Review. ISSN   0017-8012 . Retrieved 2024-08-05.