When senior women studies major Jonathan Gutstadt started thinking about his thesis equivalency project for his bachelors degree, he did not know it was going to lead to a new student group on campus.
But that’s exactly what happened.
What Gutstadt and fellow group members first wanted to call the Men Against Rape group, evolved into the Men Against Sexism group. He describes it as a pro-feminist men’s group in which members are committed to support and educate each other about issues surrounding gender, sexuality and feminism.
“It’s all about support,” Gutstadt said. “We need a men’s movement because people do ask the question that if there’s a women’s center, then why isn’t there a men’s center?”
Gutstadt said Men Against Sexism aims to create a safe environment for men to share their stories. Group members ask questions and address the issues they might not want to discuss with their friends.
He said members are looking for alternatives to the traditional masculinity that is often associated with and expected of men. Gutstadt said rather than promoting traditional masculinity, the group looks at men as unique individuals who want to talk about their concerns and thoughts in a comfortable environment.
“We have a sexualized culture, but we don’t talk about sex,” Gutstadt said.
Gutstadt said group members are also looking to break away from stereotypical male expectations that do not allow for expressing one’s weaknesses.
“One thing that I find is really important is to be vulnerable. That means admitting mistakes and having that be OK — that means developing deeper relationships,” he said.
So far, the group has not asked for ASUO recognition, but Gutstadt said although University funding is not the focus of the group, he does not want to exclude the possibility from future consideration.
Byron McCrae, assistant dean of Student Life and an advisor to the group, said members, through their involvement in Men Against Sexism and other social justice groups on campus and in the community, attempt to break out of stereotypical male behaviors that affect their health, their careers and their overall way of life.
“Society has these explicit and implicit scripts that they expect men and women to follow,” McCrae said. “It’s really productive to have a group that looks at sexism to really debunk all that.”
The group also provides an opportunity for men to get involved in the annual Take Back the Night event, which raises awareness to create a sexual assault-free campus and is sponsored by the Women’s Center. Gutstadt said men previously lacked an outlet to get involved, but now the Men Against Sexism group provides just such an outlet.
Jonathan Davies, a senior staff psychologist at the University Counseling Center, has worked with group members as a facilitator for their support group meetings. He said a group such as Men Against Sexism was highly needed on campus to educate men about dangerous behaviors.
Davies also agreed with Gutstadt that the group’s efforts are important in providing a vehicle for men to get involved in Take Back the Night and women’s issues overall.
“More and more men are coming out for that evening and want to support and express their concern for women,” he said.
Men Against Sexism incorporated on campus
Daily Emerald
April 20, 2000
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