Now and Men

For one turbulent week at the end of July this year, serious rioting broke out across around 20 towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland. Rioters attacked homes and businesses owned by immigrants, and set fire to accommodation housing asylum-seekers. The riots began near Liverpool after the horrific murder of three young girls in a neighbouring town, about which far-right supporters spread false claims online that the perpetrator was a Muslim migrant or asylum-seeker.Whilst some women were involved, the vast majority of the rioters were men. So how should we understand the place of masculinities and misogyny in these events, and in extreme movements more generally? What should we make of the response of the authorities, focused largely on criminality, arrests, and imprisonment? How significant is the subsequent upsurge in anti-racism rallies across the country, which heavily outnumbered the far-right rioters?We talk to Dr Elizabeth Pearson about her recent book ‘Extreme Britain: Gender, Masculinity and Radicalisation’, which explores misogyny and masculinities in relation to the far-right (English Defence League, Britain First, and For Britain) and the Islamist group al-Muhajiroun. The book is based on interviews with figures including Anjem Choudary, Tommy Robinson, Jayda Fransen, and Anne Marie Waters. Elizabeth argues that radicalisation is a ‘masculinity project’ for those who get involved in extremism – both for those on the far-right, and those in Islamist groups.Elizabeth is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Royal Holloway, University of London. She is also an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for Defence and Security Studies. Prior to academia, she worked as a radio journalist for the BBC.Profile: https://pure.royalholloway.ac.uk/en/persons/elizabeth-pearsonTwitter: https://x.com/lizzypearsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-pearson-3572a117/Elizabeth’s ‘Extreme Britain’ book: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/extreme-britain/She also co-authored ‘Countering Violent Extremism: Making Gender Matter’ (2020): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-21962-8Her Conversation piece about the riots: https://theconversation.com/the-hypermasculine-far-right-how-white-nationalists-tell-themselves-they-are-protecting-women-and-children-when-they-riot-236250Her writing for RUSI: https://rusi.org/people/pearsonEpisode timelineIntroduction (00:00-02:37)Elizabeth’s feelings as she saw the riots unfold (02:37-05:42)Government and public responses to the riots (05:42-09:30)Discourses about ‘protecting’ women and girls (09:30-14:41)Connections between misogyny, domestic abuse, and extremism (14:41-19:06)Men's responses (19:06-23:55)Break (23:55)Why extremist radicalisation is a ‘masculinity project’ (24:00-27:45)Similarities and differences between the far-right and Islamist extremism (27:45-33:37)Elizabeth’s experience of conducting her research (33:37-39:40)Women’s place in the far-right (39:40-49:11)What got Elizabeth involved in this area of research (49:11-54:12)Conclusion [The counter-protests; addressing the root causes; links between the mainstream and far-right; exploitation of working-class men; protest masculinity; engaging with people across divides] (54:12-01:02:29)ExplainersMore info at Hope Not Hate: https://hopenothate.org.uk/case-files-hub/Tommy Robinson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_RobinsonAndrew Tate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_TateNigel Farage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_FarageGreggs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GreggsAnjem Choudary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anjem_Choudary‘Home Grown’ by Joan Smith - https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/joan-smith/home-grown/9781787476066/Prevent Strategy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONTESTUCL ‘Grievance’ research team: https://www.grievance-erc.comProf Joel Busher: https://pureportal.coventry.ac.uk/en/persons/joel-busherEnglish Defence League: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_LeagueBritain First: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britain_FirstFor Britain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Britain_Movement              Al-Muhajiroun: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-MuhajirounJayda Fransen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayda_FransenAnne-Marie Waters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Marie_WatersBoudica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoudicaPegida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegida

Professor Jeff Hearn has been engaging in academic, activist, and personal work on men, masculinities, and pro-feminism for over 45 years. So how does he reflect on what he has observed over the course of his career, and in contemporary debates? For instance, what are ‘political masculinities’ and how are they playing out in today’s turbulent political climate? Is it possible to categorise different legal and policy approaches to men and gender equality across Europe? What counts as ‘violence’ and how should we understand the links between different forms? How can memory work help to explain the relationship between masculinity and ageing? These are some of the concepts and issues we explore in this wide-ranging episode, based on Jeff’s rich body of writing and research since the 1970s. Jeff’s work is well known in the field of critical studies on men and masculinities. He has also worked extensively on organisations, management and work, with special emphasis on gender, sexuality, diversity and intersectionality; and men’s violence to women and children. His wider interests include globalisation and transnationalisations, social theory, and cultural studies. He spent his early career at Bradford University in the UK, rising to became head of department. Since then, he has held various posts internationally, including: Research Professor in Social Sciences, Manchester University, UK; Professor of Gender Studies, Linköping University, Sweden; and currently Professor Emeritus, Management and Organisation, Hanken School of Economics, Finland; Senior Professor, Human Geography, Örebro University, Sweden; and Professor of Sociology, University of Huddersfield, UK. He was also a founder member of ‘Profeministimiehet’, Finland.Jeff’s work:https://www.hanken.fi/sv/person/jeff-hearnhttps://www.oru.se/english/employee/jeff_hearnhttps://pure.hud.ac.uk/en/persons/jeff-hearnEpisode timeline:Introduction (00:00-03:32)The ‘masculinity contest’ between Biden and Trump (03:32-11:50)‘Political masculinities’ and recent elections across Europe (11:50-19:38)Categorising policy approaches to gender equality and men in Europe (19:38-24:51)‘Violence regimes’ and interconnections between men’s violences (24:51-30:02)Break (30:02-30:08)Reflecting on Jeff’s career and the history of critical studies on men and masculinities (30:08-40:11)Focusing on men’s practices and ‘the hegemony of men’ (40:11-44:13)The Older Men’s Memory Work Group (44:13-50:43)Ageing and masculinity (50:43-52:38)Conclusion (Tap Social in Oxford; 'Strong' vs collective leadership; Older men and power; Violence against women and the 'Nordic paradox'; Ecological violence; Coercive control) (52:38-59:58)More info:‘Trump v Biden: A duel of contrasting masculinities’ (2020) https://theconversation.com/trump-v-biden-a-duel-of-contrasting-masculinities-148300‘Evaluating the concept of political masculinity/ies: A simple idea or a case of too many ideas?’ (2024): https://doi.org/10.1332/25151088Y2023D000000021‘European Perspectives on Men and Masculinities: National and Transnational Approaches’ (2006): https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230626447‘Violence regimes: A useful concept for social politics, social analysis, and social theory’ (2022) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11186-022-09474-4‘The Violences of Men’ (1998): https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446279069‘From Hegemonic Masculinity to the Hegemony of Men’ (2004): https://doi.org/10.1177/1464700104040813‘Men’s Stories for a Change: Ageing Men Remember’ (2016): https://doi.org/10.18848/978-1-61229-860-3/CGP‘Routledge Handbook on Men, Masculinities and Organizations’ (2023): https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003193579James Messerschmidt: https://usm.maine.edu/directories/people/james-w-messerschmidt/Niels Spierlings: https://www.ru.nl/en/people/spierings-c  Raewyn Connell – ‘Masculinities’: http://www.raewynconnell.net/p/masculinities_20.htmlKopano Ratele: https://www0.sun.ac.za/psychology/staff/academic-staff/prof-kopano-ratele/’Men’s Stories for a Change: Ageing Men Remember’ (2016): https://doi.org/10.18848/978-1-61229-860-3/CGPFrigga Haug: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frigga_HaugCollective Memory-Work: http://collectivememorywork.netTap Social: https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/14/oxford-brewery-helps-cut-reoffending-rates-by-training-jail-leavers-to-make-ale‘The Myth of the Strong Leader’ (2014): https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-myth-of-the-strong-leader-9781448156986

Why should we all be concerned by the content, production and dissemination of pornography today? What is the impact of the normalisation of porn culture on boys and young men? How can we help them to reject harmful and inequitable sexual behaviours and attitudes, live up to the values they hold, and build healthy, mutualistic relationships? In this episode, youth advocate and educator Daniel Principe talks frankly about what led him to speak out about pornography, and how he came to engage with boys and young men on these issues. He describes his innovative approach in schools and colleges across Australia, and talks movingly about the positive and thoughtful responses of the boys and young men he encounters. He emphasises the need to support boys through adolescence, to help them to critique the unequal culture they are growing up in, and to champion their fundamental decency and courage.  In Australia, Daniel is a member of the DART Institute (Domestic Abuse Resource and Training Group), an Ambassador for the Women’s Resilience Centre, and an Ambassador for the national campaign Consent Can’t Wait.Find out more about Daniel’s work: https://www.danielprincipe.com.auFollow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lastoftheromans/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-principe-8b7556ab/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdanielprincipeEpisode timeline:Intro (00:00-01:32)What led Daniel to start questioning pornography (01:32-06:01)How and why pornography has become so pervasive (06:01-12:53) Problems with the content of mainstream porn (12:53-18:39)Its impacts on men and boys (18:39-24:24)Damaging consequences for male sexuality (24:24-29:15)Break (29:15-29:21)Daniel’s work with boys and young men (29:21-39:18)What we can do about porn culture, personally and politically (39:18-51:52)Conclusion (Tensions between challenging and supporting boys; The need for structural change; The narrow, conservative, big business nature of porn; Profiting from cycles of shame; Boys’ capacity to critique; How porn constructs masculinity; Perpetuating the male gaze and the centring of men’s pleasure; ‘The end of masculinity’?) (51:52-59:59)More info: Read Daniel’s piece for SBS Insight: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/article/porn-taught-me-to-disrespect-women-from-when-i-was-11-now-i-try-to-tell-kids-whats-real/vbk4p7ggxAustralian Government ‘Consent Can’t Wait’ campaign: https://www.consent.gov.auAustralian eSafety Commissioner report, ‘Being a young man online’ (2024): https://www.esafety.gov.au/research/being-a-young-man-onlineAustralian Institute of Family Studies report, ‘The effects of pornography on children and young people’ (2017): https://aifs.gov.au/research/research-snapshots/effects-pornography-children-and-young-peopleOur Watch report, ‘Pornography, young people and preventing violence against women’ (2020): https://www.ourwatch.org.au/pornography-young-people-and-preventing-violence-against-womenAustralian National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032: https://www.dss.gov.au/ending-violence‘The Man Box 2024’ report: https://jss.org.au/programs/research/the-man-box/BBC Scotland survey of young British men: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51967295 Prof Michael Flood: https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/m.floodDr Maree Crabbe: https://itstimewetalked.com/about-us/our-people/Prof Michael Salter: https://research.unsw.edu.au/people/professor-michael-alan-salterDr Fiona Vera-Gray’s new book, ‘Women on Porn’: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/454201/women-on-porn-by-vera-gray-dr-fiona/9781911709435Her research on the content of mainstream online porn: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azab035Robert Jensen, ‘Getting Off’: https://robertwjensen.org/books/getting-off/

Across the globe, men tend to have a lower life expectancy than women. Although there are still significant challenges facing women’s health, on issues ranging from cancer to suicide, men are faring badly. However, a closer look reveals that this picture varies significantly across different groups of men. Why is that? What role does masculinity play in shaping health inequities among men, and their experience of illnesses like prostate cancer? For Men’s Health Week 2024, we speak to Professor Derek Griffith about why an intersectional approach, which addresses issues such as economic inequality and structural racism, is vital to engaging with men and boys about their health and wellbeing.Derek is a Founding Co-Director of the Racial Justice Institute and Founder and Director of the Center for Men’s Health Equity at Georgetown University (Washginton, DC, United States), where he is a Professor of Health Management and Policy and Oncology. He also serves as the Chair of Global Action on Men’s Health, a global men’s health advocacy organisation. Find out more about Derek’s work: https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/0031Q00002J74ovQAB/derek-griffithFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrDMGriffithFollow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmgriffith/Global Action on Men’s Health: https://gamh.orgCenter for Men’s Health Equity, Georgetown University: https://cmhe.georgetown.eduEpisode timeline:Intro (00:00-01:28)Men’s Health Week and why it matters (01:28-02:34)Why an intersectional understanding of men’s wellbeing is needed (02:34-04:45)How health inequities manifest themselves in the US (04:45-06:01)The consequences of structural racism (06:01-09:35)The influence of masculinity on different groups of men (09:35-12:27)Understanding Black American manhood (12:27-15:10)Risk-taking (15:10-16:34)Men’s poor take-up of health services (16:34-19:52)Making healthcare more accessible (19:52-22:53)The costs of healthcare in the US (22:53-26:00)Break (26:00-26:07)Lack of discussion of men’s mental health in global policies (26:07-28:03)Men’s vulnerability and looking beyond individual explanations (28:03-30:13)What policy changes are needed (30:13-32:07)Masculinity and prostate cancer (32:07-40:10)Other forms of cancer experienced by men (40:10-42:09)Discomfort among male doctors (42:09-43:43)How we can engage with marginalised men and boys about their wellbeing (43:43-48:05)Fatherhood and (self)care (48:05-51:56)Conclusion (The structural dynamics of masculinity; The role of social class; ‘Dying of whiteness’; Relationships and women’s positive impact; Prostate cancer) (51:56-59:34)More info:Syndemics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syndemic Tony Coles - ‘mosaic masculinity’: https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783308092882Tony Whitehead - Jamaican and African-American men, reputation and respectability: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.93.6.1050Steve Robertson - the ‘don’t care, should care’ dichotomy: https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459306061787Roland Thorpe - the cost of men’s health inequities: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2014/health-disparities-among-us-african-american-and-hispanic-men-cost-economy-more-than-450-billion-over-four-years Jonathan Metzl - ‘dying of whiteness’: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jonathan-m-metzl/dying-of-whiteness/9781541644960/?lens=basic-booksGlobal Action on Men's Health reports on cancer: https://gamh.org/cancer-charter/ And mental health: https://gamh.org/absent-minded/

Why do most men in politics avoid describing themselves and their politics as ‘feminist’? If they do support gender equality, why do they prefer instead to be called allies, advocates or supporters? What does this mean in practice for what men politicians do to promote women’s rights, and address harmful masculine norms? How are they seen by feminist activists, women politicians and young people? These are vital issues given the power men in politics have to drive (or obstruct) change towards gender equality and preventing violence against women. They are discussed in a report by Dr Ján Michalko for ODI, a global affairs think tank, drawing on case studies by research teams in Colombia, Liberia and Malaysia. We talk to Ján about the findings from the research, its implications for politicians, international donors, civil society and researchers on how to engage with men in positions of power, and what such men can do to promote the transformation of unequal gender norms, in politics and in wider society.Ján is a Research Fellow in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at ODI. His research interests are in gender inequalities, political engagement, masculinities, feminist foreign policy, and youth. His work includes supporting the digital ALiGN platform at ODI, which brings together global gender norms research and lessons for transformative change: https://www.alignplatform.orgFollow Ján on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ján-michalko-phd-54719251Twitter: https://x.com/MichalkoJanFollow ALiGN on Twitter: https://x.com/ALIGN_GenderODI website: https://odi.org/en/Read the full research series, including the cross-country analysis and in-depth country reports: https://www.alignplatform.org/research-series-men-politics-agents-gender-equitable-change Episode timeline:Intro (00:00-02:20)Why ALiGN wanted to research men in politics (02:20-05:35)The political context in Colombia, Liberia & Malaysia (05:35-08:53)Challenges of comparing across contexts (08:53-10:35)Interviewing men in politics (10:35-14:02)The reluctance of men politicians to take on the label ‘feminist’ (14:02-17:19)Actions speak louder than words (17:19-18:54)The risk of falls from grace (18:54-19:53)Factors shaping men politicians' engagement with gender equality (19:53-23:59)Differences across political parties (23:59-26:23)The electoral cycle (26:23-28:40)Break (28:40-28:46)Focus groups with students & activists about their views on men politicians (28:46-32:44)Anti-feminist backlash (32:44-35:55)Barriers & enablers to progress for gender equality politics (35:55-38:15)What actions men in politics can take (38:15-40:17)The influence they have on wider society (40:17-42:08)Their reluctance to reflect on masculinity (42:08-46:29)Ján’s own story of how he got involved in this work (46:29-51:20)Conclusion (Interactions with MPs Tony Benn & Peter Jackson; Men politicians’ motivations for supporting women’s rights over time; Pushes for the Australian govt to address violence against women; The impact women have on men; The risk of the political discourse moving backwards) (51:20-59:18)Explainers:George Weah ‘Declares himself 'Liberia's Feminist-In-Chief' - https://www.sheroesforum.com/d/5/38/982/Pres.-Weah-Declares-Himself-'Liberia's-Feminist-In-Chief';-Recommits-To-Women's-Cause‘Will Gustavo Petro live up to his promises to Colombia’s women?’:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/21/will-gustavo-petro-live-up-to-his-promises-to-colombias-womenMalaysia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, called for a feminist foreign policy in 2020: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2022/09/827413/feminist-foreign-policy-about-inclusiveness-decision-makingEllen Johnson Sirleaf (former president of Liberia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Johnson_SirleafRainbow Murray & Elin Bjarnegård, ‘Bringing men & masculinities into political science’ - https://doi.org/10.1332/251510823X16920325768482

Dr Ken Harland has been involved in youth work practice and research with boys and young men in Northern Ireland for the past 35 years. During that time, he has witnessed a transition from a culture in which violence and conflict was normalised, to one of peace-building and hope. But how were ‘The Troubles’ shaped by gender inequality? What impact did and does the conflict have on young men growing up, and on ideas of masculinity? How is it possible to reach disadvantaged boys and young men and help them find their voice in this context? And are there lessons for elsewhere from the political transformation of Northern Ireland towards peace?After being a community youth worker for 17 years, in 1996 Ken joined Ulster University and was co-founder and co-director of the ‘Centre for Young Men’s Studies’ there from 2005-2016. Since then he’s worked independently as a consultant, trainer, lecturer and researcher in youth and youth-related issues, and also works part-time as a Research Fellow and Consultant with Ulster University's longitudinal research initiative ‘Taking Boys Seriously’. In this episode, Ken talks movingly about his personal story, linking his early work experiences in the shipyards, to finding his passion in education, his relationship with his dad, and being a grandparent. Follow Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-harland-26b237b5/Read more of his research: https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/persons/ken-harlandCheck out his book, ‘Boys, Young Men and Violence: Masculinities, Education and Practice’ (2015): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9781137297358 and recent journal articles...‘Taking Boys Seriously: A participatory action research initiative demonstrating the transformative potential of relational education’ (2024): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01425692.2024.2315121‘Embedding masculinities within a gender conscious relational pedagogy to transform education with boys experiencing compounded educational disadvantage’ (2024): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14681366.2024.2301726We cover the following topics:Ken’s experience of living through The Troubles (01:14-05:22)The place of gender in conversations about transition away from conflict (05:22-08:45)How men were expected to be ‘defenders’ and ‘protectors’ (08:45-11:52)The dominance of the ‘cult of the hardman’ (11:52-15:34)Similarities and differences in masculine pressures in different contexts (15:34-18:36)The impact of the police and army as well as paramilitary organisations (18:36-20:17)Hopes for a better future despite the challenges (20:17-25:07)The experiences of women during The Troubles (25:07-26:59)What led Ken to work on masculinity issues (26:59-35:30)The establishment of the Centre for Young Men’s Studies in Belfast (35:30-40:59)Making sense of how masculinity influences young men's (and our own) lives (40:59-46:46)Taking Boys Seriously: The need for gender conscious relational pedagogy (46:46-48:33)Practical lessons from Ken’s work with boys (48:33-53:04)Conclusion: Moving away from a culture of violence; Challenging the notion that boys don’t talk; Social change in Northern Ireland, including around Brexit and abortion; Connections with previous episodes, including #39 with Dr Jocelyn Smith Lee on gun violence in the US (53:04-01:00:45)Further info:About ‘The Troubles’ - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles‘Tartan army: how Belfast gang culture morphed into paramilitarism’ (Irish Times) - https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/tartan-army-how-belfast-gang-culture-morphed-into-paramilitarism-1.2737322‘Belfast has more peace walls now than 25 years ago – removing them will be a complex challenge’ (The Conversation) - https://theconversation.com/belfast-has-more-peace-walls-now-than-25-years-ago-removing-them-will-be-a-complex-challenge-203975Northern Ireland Executive Office draft Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls - https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/topics/ending-violence-against-women-and-girls

The heavy toll of gun violence in the United States is having traumatising impacts on innumerable Black men and boys, many of whom will know one or more family members or friends who have died as a result. Yet there is widespread reluctance to consider the idea of vulnerability and victimisation among these young survivors. In this episode, we hear from Dr Jocelyn Smith Lee, who has herself experienced personal loss from the violence, about her work in the cities of Greensboro and Baltimore to challenge dehumanising narratives of Black men and boys and ensure that their voices and experiences are central to efforts to tackle the violence. We also learn about community initiatives helping these men and boys and their families heal from trauma and loss. Jocelyn is an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She is also the founder and director of the Centering Black Voices research lab, and the founder and project lead for the visual storytelling campaign ‘In All Ways Human’, which was originally funded by a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Award.Find out more about Jocelyn’s research: https://www.uncg.edu/employees/jocelyn-smith-lee/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-r-smith-lee-ph-d-577b6015/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrJocelynSmithIn All Ways Human campaign: https://inallwayshuman.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inallwayshumanTwitter: https://twitter.com/InAllWaysHumanCentering Black Voices research lab: https://centeringblackvoices.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/CenterBLKVoicesTopics we cover:The prevalence of gun violence in the US and its unequal impacts (01:12-04:26)The social contexts for Jocelyn’s research in Baltimore, MD and Greensboro, NC (04:26-08:47)The impacts of trauma and loss from gun violence on Black men and boys (08:47-14:57)(Limited) possibilities for turning points and perceived life expectancy (14:57-19:38)Why we are so reluctant to talk about vulnerability and victimisation among Black men (19:38-22:19)The ‘In All Ways Human’ campaign that Jocelyn has created (22:19-28:30)Telling a different, positive story, through the life-course (28:30-30:49)The effects that police violence has on Black men and boys and their families (30:49-37:08)Services which play a more positive role in their lives (37:08-42:02)How we can help Black men and boys to heal from this trauma and loss (42:02-46:29)The impacts of the violence on women and girls (46:29-48:50)The disproportionate responsibility placed on Black women (48:50-50:22)The recent reduction in homicides in Baltimore, and achieving political change (50:22-55:05)Conclusion (55:05-01:01:14), including: The shocking scale of the homicides, from a young age; How masculine norms can obstruct men from talking about fear and grief; Links with episode 38 with Nate Eisenstadt on non-punitive approaches; The power of Jocelyn's message of hope.More info:The killing of Freddie Gray after his arrest by Baltimore Police Department (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/freddie-gray-death-haunts-man-filmed-video-baltimore'Baltimore celebrates historic 20% drop in homicides even as gun violence remains high’ (Associated Press): https://apnews.com/article/baltimore-homicides-decrease-2023-d88000d65d3916d1fbbe6352becd8881‘How Baltimore invented neighborhood segregation’ (Vox): https://www.vox.com/2015/5/10/8578077/baltimore-segregation-pietila

What is 'discomfort', and how can we engage effectively with men when they display it in conversations about masculinity, gender equality and violence? How can connecting with discomfort help to change harmful attitudes and behaviours? What are the risks and challenges in embracing discomfort, and how can they be dealt with? These issues are at the core of our discussion with Dr Nate Eisenstadt, drawing on his extensive experience of facilitating and researching bystander intervention and domestic violence perpetrator programmes in the UK.We also explore the training room as a microcosm of wider society, and how discomfort and fear are often weaponised by public figures to promote damaging, polarising responses to complex real-world problems. Drawing on his earlier research on contemporary anarchist practices, Nate reflects on the challenges and potential of community-based transformative (as opposed to punitive) approaches to ending gender-based violence.Nate is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol in the UK, in their Medical School’s Domestic Violence and Health Group, and the Co-Director of Kindling Interventions, which delivers bystander leadership programmes for violence prevention, equality and diversity.Find out more about Nate’s research: https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/nathan-eisenstadtLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nathan-eisenstadt/Kindling Interventions: https://kindling-interventions.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/KindlingIntervLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/kindling-interventions/We cover the following topics:The 'bystander leadership' training that Nate is delivering (01:31-05:16)Why he and Dr Rachel Fenton set up Kindling Interventions (05:16-09:03)Advantages and challenges with the bystander intervention approach (09:03-16:27)Different ways in which 'discomfort' can surface in this work (16:27-22:39)How to respond to discomfort when engaging with men and boys (22:39-30:57)The role of skilled facilitation (30:57-33:39)Facilitators’ own experiences of discomfort (33:39-37:24)How discomfort links to the backlash against feminism in wider society (37:24-42:46)Vital ingredients for impactful work with men who've perpetrated abuse (42:46-48:55)How this research links with Nate’s work on anarchist and anti-oppressive organising (48:55-52:06)Key tenets of anarchism and links with community accountability (52:06-53:58)Conclusion (53:58-59:54): Overlaps with Jens van Tricht's episode; the value of uncomfortable conversations; shifts in work with men who've used violence; the resonance of Nate's work with wider political polarisation; and anarchism and mutual aid.Further reading:The Intervention Initiative: https://law.exeter.ac.uk/research/interventioninitiative/Rachel Fenton, Helen Mott et al. (2016) A review of evidence for bystander intervention to prevent sexual and domestic violence in universities (Public Health England): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a802686ed915d74e622cc3b/Evidence_review_bystander_intervention_to_prevent_sexual_and_domestic_violence_in_universities_11April2016.pdfKelly Shaver (1970) Defensive attribution theory: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0028777Jonas Kaplan et al. (2016) Neural correlates of maintaining one's political beliefs in the face of counterevidence: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep39589Marshall B Rosenberg - Nonviolent communication: https://nonviolentcommunication.com

Now and Men is taking a break until February 2024, so in the meantime, to coincide with Veganuary and a new campaign called 'Vegan and Thriving' from the UK Vegan Society, we revisit episode 29 from June 2023, where we discussed masculinity and veganism with Dr Kadri Aavik. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of vegans in Europe has doubled from 1.3 million to 2.6 million. More and more people are questioning the consumption of meat and dairy for ethical, environmental and health reasons. The majority are women, but a significant number of men are vegans, too – and over 30% of Europeans say they are consciously eating less meat. In this episode, we explore men’s experiences and motivations for becoming vegan and how they deal with masculine expectations about food. Veganism and vegetarianism are sometimes portrayed as ‘unmanly’ and effeminate, whilst meat-eating is often associated with strength and virility. The meat and dairy industries are also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions – might the climate crisis and increasing recognition of the harms caused by these industries be leading to changes in the behaviours of some men?Dr Kadri Aavik is an Associate Professor of Gender Studies at Tallinn University, Estonia. Kadri has written a book about her research in Estonia and Finland, ‘Contesting Anthropocentric Masculinities through Veganism: Lived Experiences of Vegan Men’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023). Research for the book was conducted as part of the project ‘Climate Sustainability in the Kitchen: Everyday Food Cultures in Transition’ (University of Helsinki, 2018-2022), funded by the Kone Foundation: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/projects/climate-sustainability-kitchen   Buy Kadri’s book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19507-5Find out more about her research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kadri-Aavik and https://www.etis.ee/CV/Kadri_Aavik/engTopics covered:Why food and eating are gendered (02:38-05:02)How to define veganism (05:02-06:49)Kadri’s research with vegan men in Estonia and Finland (06:49-09:41)Men’s motivations for becoming vegan (09:41-11:20)Kadri’s personal relationship with veganism (11:20-13:33)The connections between meat-eating and masculinity (13:33-15:02)Gendered differences in diets (15:02-17:14)Men’s engagement in household cooking (17:14-21:32)Navigating family relationships as a vegan (21:32-23:32)The influence of patriarchy on human relations with other animals (23:32-27:42)What this has to do with climate change and ‘Anthropocentric masculinities’ (27:42-32:10)Barriers to veganism for men (32:10-37:33)The different contexts of veganism in Estonia and Finland (37:33-41:39)The extent to which veganism is a ‘privileged’ phenomenon (41:39-44:35)Achieving institutional as well as individual change (44:35-48:48)Veganism as a form of activism, not just a ‘lifestyle choice’ (48:48-50:45)Impacts of veganism on men’s relationships (50:45-54:12)More info: Veganuary (where people try being vegan throughout January) - https://veganuary.comThe UK Vegan Society - https://www.vegansociety.comTheir 'Vegan and Thriving' campaign - https://www.vegansociety.com/get-involved/campaigns/vegan-thrivingRoutledge Handbook on Men, Masculinities and Organizations - https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003193579/routledge-handbook-men-masculinities-organizations-jeff-hearn-kadri-aavik-david-collinson-anika-thymCarol Adams: The Sexual Politics of Meat - https://caroljadams.com/spom-the-book'Suella Braverman blames 'Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati' for disruptive protests' (Guardian, 18th Oct 2022) - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2022/oct/18/suella-braverman-blames-guardian-reading-tofu-eating-wokerati-for-disruptive-protests-video

Blake Morrison’s award-winning, bestselling memoir ‘And When Did You Last See Your Father?’ is an honest and intimate portrait of family life, father-son relations, and the impact of bereavement. Since it came out in 1993, Blake has continued to revisit his family’s past through ‘Things My Mother Never Told Me’ (2002), and is ‘still working things out’ in his poignant recent book ‘Two Sisters’, about his sister Gill and half-sister Josie, published earlier this year.In this episode, Blake reads extracts from ‘Two Sisters’ and ‘And When Did You Last See Your Father?’, and we explore with him key themes in his work, including: sibling relationships; family secrets; men controlling women; male violence; transitions in father-son relations; youthful rebellion, and becoming a man. We also discuss issues around men, emotion and grief, the genres of ‘sib-lit’ and ‘dad-lit’, and the impact of feminism on Blake’s own development and writing. As well as a memoirist, Blake is a poet, novelist, and journalist. His published work includes the poetry collections ‘Dark Glasses’, ‘The Ballad of the Yorkshire Ripper’ and ‘Shingle Street’, and most recently, ‘Skin and Blister’, and four novels, including ‘The Last Weekend’ and ‘The Executor’. He’s a regular literary critic for the Guardian newspaper and the London Review of Books, and is Professor Emeritus of creative and life writing at Goldsmiths University. Born in Yorkshire, he has lived in South London for many years. Find out more about Blake: https://blakemorrison.netMore info about ‘Two Sisters’: https://www.boroughpress.co.uk/products/two-sisters-blake-morrison-9780008510527/‘Things My Mother Never Told Me’ https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/357294/things-my-mother-never-told-me-by-morrison-blake/9780099440727‘And When Did You Last See Your Father?’: https://granta.com/products/and-when-did-you-last-see-your-father/Blake’s ‘Top 10 books about fathers and sons’: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/nov/02/top-10-books-about-fathers-and-sons-blake-morrison-and-when-did-you-last-see-your-fatherWe cover the following in this episode:Reading from 'Two Sisters' (01:24-06:42)Blake’s motivations for writing the book (06:42-08:14)Why brothers don’t write about sisters (08:14-10:12)Examples of ‘sib-lit’ (10:12-11:47)The impact of alcoholism on Gill (11:47-13:46)Alcoholism and gender (13:46-16:04)Male violence and the efforts of adults to hide it (16:04-19:18)The significance of women in Blake’s life (19:18-21:02)The supposed stability of 1950s/60s family life (21:02-22:22)Reading from ‘And When Did you Last See Your Father?' (22:22-26:09)Why the book was so successful (26:09-27:47)The extent to which Blake’s portrayal of fatherhood was culturally specific (27:47-30:21)‘Dad-lit’ and other authors to read on father-son relations (30:21-32:28)Shifts in Blake’s relationship with his dad and how he saw him (32:28-34:41)Blake’s capacity for writing honestly and sensitively about emotion (34:41-37:21)Where Blake himself fits into his memoirs (37:21-39:39)Gender and dealing with grief (39:39-41:25)Why Blake kept his Dad's pacemaker (41:25-43:46)What led him to write ‘Things My Mother Never Told Me’ (43:46-46:43)The impact feminism had on Blake and his writing (46:43-50:32)The influence that poetry and literature can have on young men (50:32-55:03)