Journalist and author Caitlin Moran discusses the problems of girls and women in public, and addresses the question 'But what about men?'. She explores the issues affecting men and boys, the impact of exposure to online pornography, and redefining masculinity through feminist perspectives. Moran also delves into writing, kindness, and a sci-fi story about creating perfect robot husbands.
Addressing men's issues is crucial for gender equality and societal balance.
Pornography's influence on sexual behaviors needs open discussions for prevention.
Male loneliness and friendship challenges require cultural shifts for emotional connections.
Deep dives
The National Concert Hall's New Concert Season
The National Concert Hall announces its 24-25 concert season, featuring over 60 concerts by renowned artists like the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle, the National Symphony Orchestra, and more.
Challenging Gender Norms and Discussing Men's Issues
Caitlin Moran discusses her latest book on addressing men's problems, highlighting the importance of understanding and fixing issues faced by men alongside women. She emphasizes the need to address men's struggles and challenges as an extension of feminism to create a more balanced society.
Impact of Pornography and Sexual Dynamics
Caitlin Moran delves into the impact of pornography on young individuals, revealing disturbing trends such as early exposure to extreme content and normalized violent acts like choking during sex. She calls for open conversations about pornography's influence on sexual preferences and behaviors to prevent long-term consequences.
Impact of Pornography on Male Behavior and Mental Health
The podcast delves into the effects of pornography on male behavior and mental health, highlighting a poignant story about a young man named Sam who struggled with addiction to violent online pornography. This addiction led to intense emotional issues and erectile dysfunction when faced with real-world sexual encounters. The discussion emphasizes how exposure to unrealistic portrayals of sex can negatively impact young individuals' perceptions and experiences, affecting their relationships and mental well-being.
Addressing Male Loneliness and Friendship Challenges
Another key focus of the podcast is the prevalence of male loneliness and challenges in forming deep friendships. With statistics revealing that one in five men over 50 lack close friends, the episode explores the societal factors contributing to male isolation. It also discusses the importance of promoting emotional connections and open communication among men, drawing attention to the need for a cultural shift in how male friendships are perceived and nurtured.
A regular on The Women's Podcast, journalist and author Caitlin Moran was in Dublin recently as part of her latest book tour. As someone who regularly discusses the problems of girls and women in public, Moran has often been confronted with the question: “But what about men?”. Indeed, the statistics on male misery are grim: boys are falling behind in school, are at greater risk of addiction, depression, suicide, and increasingly at risk from online misogynist radicalisation thanks to the likes of Andrew Tate and Jordan B Peterson. Moran explains what led her to write her new book What About Men? and discusses the issues affecting men and boys that she says if tackled will also help women and girls.
This episode was originally published in July 2023.
