In the current landscape of gender justice, marked by setbacks like the rollback of Roe v. Wade and the rise of anti-feminist influencers, a concerning trend is the decline in the number of Gen Z boys and men identifying as feminists. Feminism is on the rise among Gen Z girls and women. However, various factors such as political polarization and social media echo chambers contribute to a lack of engagement from boys and men.
Is there a lull?
Historically, there were prominent male voices in the gender justice movement, including figures like Tony Porter, Jackson Katz, Michael Kimmel, and Rob Okun. These leaders emphasized the role of men in combating violence against women and championing gender equality. However, as these pioneers enter their 60s and 70s, there is a need for a new generation of men to step into leadership roles.
One notable voice is Richard Reeves, author of “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It.” Reeves avoids framing the issue as a zero-sum game but falls short of building an explicitly feminist argument. Justin Baldoni, with his Man Enough platform, comes close to embracing feminism.
The new fighters
In this context, organizations like Next Gen Men, a Canadian nonprofit, are taking up the mantle. The organization seeks to reshape perceptions of masculinity and challenge societal norms. Taking over Voice Male magazine, Next Gen Men aims to modernize its distribution. At the same time, they stay true to its 40-year legacy of addressing critical issues related to men’s growth and health. The goal is to be a platform that not only shares insights from their work but also amplifies diverse voices. They also look at exploring the complex intersections of patriarchy, white supremacy, settler colonialism, and capitalism.
The magazine aims to be a source of inspiration for both experienced advocates and newcomers, fostering excitement and interest. It comes at a crucial time when publications like Ms. are essential for countering anti-feminist narratives perpetuated by influencers like Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate. The preservation and growth of Voice Male is viewed as integral to presenting an alternative narrative. One that advocates for dismantling patriarchy rather than rebuilding it.
The call to action is clear: support is needed to propel this next wave of feminism forward. The goal is to create a future where boys and men experience less pain and contribute to less harm. The hope is that individuals will join this effort, recognizing the importance of shaping a gender-inclusive future.
