With Ohio University’s Women’s Week in full swing, the Women’s Center is looking to bring men into the discussion with a luncheon exploring masculinity and its effects on society.
“I think that a lot of men, if they hear about the Women’s Center, they think it’s some place for women. When they think of feminism, they think of it as being about women’s issues,” said Bill Arnold, one of two speakers at the luncheon. “I guess the primary thing I’m trying to do is help people understand that men’s issues are very much about ‘women’s issues.’ ”
Arnold, the violence prevention educator for Ohio University’s Survivor Advocacy Program, will speak alongside Vincent Jungkunz, assistant professor of political science. The luncheon will be an informal discussion with Jungkunz speaking about the academic side to the topic of masculinity and Arnold discussing his background in violence protection programs and his personal struggle with the ideals of masculinity.
Arnold said micro-aggressions — such as a sexist joke or touching a woman in a bar who did not give consent — occur within masculine socialization.
“The first problem with (micro-aggression) is that every man who thinks it’s not his issue because he’s not a rapist, (or that) he’s not perpetrating sexual assault, it’s still his issue because he’s creating a climate where women he cares about will suffer either micro-aggressions or macro-aggressions,” Arnold said.
Susanne Dietzel, director of the Women’s Center, said the topics of masculinity and sexual violence against women are parts of an ongoing project at the center.
“I don’t want to lump all men together,” Dietzel said. “But I think what we have got to see is that there are patterns in masculinity socialization that are harmful to women.”
Emily Burns, Diversity Affairs Committee chairwoman for Student Senate, planned the luncheon as well as helped to create it.
“I want everyone to feel welcome, not just men,” Burns said. “I mean, masculinity is the opposite of femininity and so the two are very much interconnected. They’re not such separate issues.”
Lunch will be provided to whomever attends, free of charge. The lunch, Arnold said, will be very “informal and exploratory.”
“I think, in a way, any talking men do about ‘women’s issues’ has to begin and end with their own accountability,” Arnold said.
IF YOU GO BOX:
What: Masculinity Luncheon
When: Noon-2 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Women’s Center, 4th Floor of Baker University Center
Admission: Free
