men, masculinities and gender politics

Authors

Blogs

Society’s message to men: Thou shalt not love. (And you should only care about sex.)

I am a straight guy who likes “chick flicks.” According to the media, I don’t exist.

The media sucks.

Dear Mr. Patriarch: Just what, exactly, did you accomplish with your life?

Dear Mr. Patriarch:  Just what, exactly, did you accomplish with your life?

The seasons always bring change.  And this season I know of two very patriarchal men who are quickly approaching the end of their careers. 

Perhaps, as they prepare to bring their working lives to a close, these two men are taking a moment to reflect upon their experiences. 

Perhaps not. 

Toward a more valid definition of rape.

Unfortunately, exactly when an act of sexualized aggression becomes rape remains a matter of some controversy. And our sense of what qualifies as consent needs a lot of clarification as well.

Bikini no longer required. (Thank goodness.)

The International Volleyball Federation has decided that for the London Olympics female beach volleyball players will no longer be required to wear bikinis. (See article here: http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/women-can-cover-up-at-olympic-beach-volleyball-3)

I think that’s a good thing.

I Hate You For Killing Her. And I Always Will.

There are no set guidelines for just how we should react emotionally when a man kills his wife. And that’s appropriate, because some acts are just so heinous that they defy any canned response. When a man does something so vicious and so evil as murdering his partner, we who survive are left to pick up the pieces and make sense of the horror as best we can.

Happy Giving Birth Day! (In celebration of mothers.)

I recently had another birthday roll around. But getting older really doesn't bother me. Having lost several friends way too soon, I have come to realize that getting older sure beats the alternative of not getting older!

Is Masturbation a Sport? Thoughts on the continuing inanity of the Sports Illustrated “Swimsuit Issue.”

Is Masturbation a Sport? Thoughts on the continuing inanity of the Sports Illustrated “Swimsuit Issue.”

Splashed across the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated “Swimsuit Issue” is the picture of a 19 year-old woman in a barely-there bikini.

The text reads: KATE UPTON (ANY QUESTIONS?)

Rush Limbaugh: Losing His War Against Women

(I had another blog all set to go for this week. But sometimes something so offensive happens that I just need to address it instead. And this week that offensive thing was the conservative American radio firebrand Rush Limbaugh. I try to avoid giving trolls like Limbaugh any further attention. But sometimes when they get so unbelievably offensive, I just need to respond.)

Hey, Chris Brown! I'm still hatin'! (And here's why...)

I watched some of the Grammy telecast the other night. It featured not one but two performances by Chris Brown. And in my opinion the performances were pretty damn boring. Which for an entertainment show is kind of a sin. But to me what was far more of a sin was the fact that Chris Brown was there at all.