THE NEW POLITICS OF MASCULINITY (Routledge Innovations in Political Theory)

The field of masculinities research continues to expand, and has become increasingly complex. Much of the contemporary analysis of men, masculinity and power has been influenced by the work of a number of profeminist writers who have been leading figures in developing new political interventions around men’s identities and power. These men have been at the forefront of interrogations of the concept of masculinity and have attempted to develop new forms of radical gender-conscious politics for men who seek to extend gender justice. The New Politics of Masculinity is the first single-authored feminist text to engage critically with the theoretical frameworks which leading profeminist writers have developed in the field of masculinity studies. Drawing on new social movement and contemporary theory, the book examines the different models of politics that such writers have evolved for men who want to challenge dominant forms of masculinities and inequitable gender relationships. It also assesses the broader effects – on the field of men and masculinities research – of these writers’ diverse theorisations of key political concepts such as masculinity, subjectivity, power and resistance. Overall, The New Politics of Masculinity outlines the central theoretical issues for scholars and students working in the area of critical studies of masculinities, and evaluates the effects of men’s gender-conscious politics on feminist scholarship and research. The New Politics of Masculinity will be of great interest to students and scholars of gender theory, sociology, and politics.

The field of masculinities research continues to expand, and has become increasingly complex. Much of the contemporary analysis of men, masculinity and power has been influenced by the work of a number of profeminist writers who have been leading figures in developing new political interventions around men’s identities and power. These men have been at the forefront of interrogations of the concept of masculinity and have attempted to develop new forms of radical gender-conscious politics for men who seek to extend gender justice.

The New Politics of Masculinity is the first single-authored feminist text to engage critically with the theoretical frameworks which leading profeminist writers have developed in the field of masculinity studies. Drawing on new social movement and contemporary theory, the book examines the different models of politics that such writers have evolved for men who want to challenge dominant forms of masculinities and inequitable gender relationships. It also assesses the broader effects – on the field of men and masculinities research – of these writers’ diverse theorisations of key political concepts such as masculinity, subjectivity, power and resistance.

Overall, The New Politics of Masculinity outlines the central theoretical issues for scholars and students working in the area of critical studies of masculinities, and evaluates the effects of men’s gender-conscious politics on feminist scholarship and research. The New Politics of Masculinity will be of great interest to students and scholars of gender theory, sociology, and politics.

Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Dedication......Page 8 Contents......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 12 1 Introduction......Page 14 Part 1: Contexts......Page 22 2 Men Doing Feminism: A contemporary movement?......Page 24 3 Profeminism, Masculinity and Social Change: Contemporary culture and identity......Page 36 4 Profeminism and Identity Politics: Masculinity, new times, new politics......Page 50 5 The Politics of Non-feminist Men’s Groups: The field of men’s gender politics......Page 69 6 The Problematic of Men and Feminism: Men’s identity and feminist politics......Page 89 Part 2: Power and Resistance......Page 106 7 John Stoltenberg: The politics of refusal......Page 108 8 Victor J. Seidler: Pain and politics......Page 122 9 Jeff Hearn: Men, identity and power......Page 136 10 Raewyn Connell: Masculinities, power and alliance politics......Page 156 11 Profeminism, Theory and Practice: Reflections......Page 170 Notes......Page 174 References......Page 176 Index......Page 187 Introduction -- Men Doing Feminism : A Contemporary Movement? -- Profeminism, Masculinity And Social Change : Contemporary Culture And Identity -- Profeminism And Identity Politics : Masculinity, New Times, New Politics -- The Politics Of Non-feminist Men's Groups : The Field Of Men's Gender Politics -- The Problematic Of Men And Feminism : Men's Identity And Feminist Politics -- John Stoltenberg : The Politics Of Refusal -- Victor J. Seidler : Pain And Politics -- Jeff Hearn : Men, Identity And Power -- Raewyn Connell : Masculinities, Power And Alliance Politics -- Profeministm, Theory And Practice : Reflections. Fidelma Ashe. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [163]-173) And Index. "The New Politics of Masculinity" subjects contemporary male feminism to feminist scrutiny and analysis. In contrast to established approaches, it explores the complexity, diversity and effects of male feminist politics while differentiating it from other contemporary men's movements. The book engages with the ideals and politics of feminist men and asks: can these men really be feminists? This work subjects contemporary male feminism to feminist scrutiny and analysis. In contrast to established approaches, it explores the complexity, diversity and effects of male feminist politics while differentiating it from other contemporary men's movements