Now and Men

The surging interest in Euro 2022, the Women’s European Championships taking place in England this summer, provides more evidence that we are in a ‘new age’ when it comes to coverage of women’s football. It highlights that much has been achieved in building gender equality in soccer in the UK and beyond. However, numerous recent issues, from questionable stadium choices to high-profile cases of sexual and domestic violence by male players, demonstrate there is still a long way to go, particularly in getting more men to become allies to women and speak out against sexism and misogyny at all levels in the game. In this episode of Now and Men, we talk to Dr Stacey Pope about her extensive research in this area – on issues from attitudes among male fans, to experiences of women in football – which gives vital insights into what the problems are and how things can be changed. Stacey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University. She studies issues of gender, sport and inequality and is a leading figure in research into women sports fans. She has written a book, ‘The Feminization of Sports Fandom: A Sociological Study’, published by Routledge in 2017: https://www.routledge.com/The-Feminization-of-Sports-Fandom-A-Sociological-Study/Pope/p/book/9780367233006Follow Stacey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StaceyPope20 or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-pope-104a2a57/. Read more about her work: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/stacey-pope/.We discuss the following topics in the episode:Where Euro 2022 fits in the history of women’s football in EnglandWhat the Women’s Euros tell us about gender equality in the game todayTackling violence against women in footballStacey’s research on attitudes among male fans towards women’s footballProgressive shifts in masculinities in footballChallenging stereotypes about football fans and working-class masculinitiesStacey’s research on the history of female football fandomExperiences of women football fans todayWhere Stacey’s own interests in football come fromHow to build gender equality in the game, including examples from other countriesHow men in football can be allies to womenWho will win the Euros!Further reading:Just after we recorded the episode, an exciting new campaign was launched by the phone company EE called #HopeUnited #NotHerProblem, featuring several high-profile men and women players challenging sexist and misogynistic abuse online – https://www.eehopeunited.co.ukA recent piece by Stacey in The Conversation – ‘Why football needs a gender revolution’ – https://theconversation.com/why-football-needs-a-gender-revolution-182394Stacey’s research on ‘a new age’ of media coverage of women’s sport –  https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038518797505Stacey’s research on men’s attitudes towards women’s football: https://doi.org/10.1177/00380385211063359, and a summary of the findings: https://theconversation.com/women-in-sport-misogyny-among-male-fans-is-rife-but-progressive-masculinities-are-on-the-rise-175091The website for Stacey’s latest research on Women Football Fans – https://womenfootballfans.orgSuzanne Wrack’s book, ‘A Woman's Game: The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Women's Football’ (Guardian Faber, 2022) – https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9781783352159-a-womans-game/End Violence Against Women Coalition ‘Which Side Are You On?’ Campaign – https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/campaign/fa-and-premier-league-which-side-are-you-on/A piece by Stephen for Transforming Society – ‘Gareth Southgate’s England team have shown us more caring ways of being a man’ – https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2021/08/13/gareth-southgates-england-team-have-shown-us-more-caring-ways-of-being-a-man/Alex Scott’s BBC documentary, ‘The Future of Women’s Football’ – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61923505

Many older men, especially those who are socially isolated, face significant challenges – from physical ill-health, to loneliness, to marginalisation and poverty. These struggles can be compounded by the ‘hard shell’ of masculinity, learnt young and persisting through the life-course, which can leave some older men feeling a loss of a sense of purpose and potency, and prevent them from opening up about their vulnerabilities or the need for connection and support. Yet growing older can also provide opportunities for reflection, taking life in new directions, and leaving behind restrictive gendered expectations. In this episode of Now and Men, we have a moving conversation with Sé Franklin about the work he does with older men in Ireland on these issues – as well as the profound impact of doing ‘inner work’ guided by feminist principles. We consider some of the significant social change which has been taking place in Ireland – from divorce reform, to marriage equality, and abortion rights – and what it tells us about gender in Irish society today. The episode ends with Sé reading out a piece he has written on being an older man.Sé Franklin has been ‘sitting with men in circles’ since 1997. He has worked with the Men's Development Network and other community-based organisations for many years. He has been part of the MenEngage Europe Network since its inception. He is a husband, father and grand-father, and lives in rural County Wexford in the South-East of the Republic of Ireland.In this episode we cover the following topics:The group work Sé does with older men in IrelandThe role of masculinity in this work and in older men’s livesThe positive effects engaging with older men can haveHaving a men’s health strategy in IrelandThe personal impacts that doing this work hasHow poetry can be used in engaging with menThe value of doing inner workStopping men’s violence against women in Ireland after the killing of Ashling MurphyThe implications of ongoing social change in Ireland around divorce law reform, same-sex marriage and abortionSé’s reading of his piece, ‘An Old Man’s Masculinities’Links:Men’s Development Network - https://mensnetwork.ieWe talk to Colm Kelly Ryan, Head of Programmes and Advocacy at the Men's Development Network, in episode 6, 'Men Marching Against Violence Against women' - https://now-and-men.captivate.fm/episode/seville-marchWhite Ribbon Ireland - https://mensnetwork.ie/whiteribbon/  MenEngage Europe - https://menengage.org/region/europe/Explainers:Irish Men’s Sheds Association - https://menssheds.ie‘Calls for action on gender-based violence after Ashling Murphy killing’ (The Guardian) - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/17/calls-for-action-on-gender-based-violence-after-ashling-murphy-killing-ireland‘Huge Republic of Ireland vote for gay marriage’ (BBC News) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32858501‘Ireland votes by landslide to legalise abortion’ (The Guardian) -  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/ireland-votes-by-landslide-to-legalise-abortion‘Jake Daniels: Blackpool player says coming out will allow him to be ‘free’ and ‘confident’’ (BBC Sport) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61467159‘Divorce in Ireland - A controversial history’ (RTÉ) - https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2019/0505/1047643-divorce-history/Report by Sandy, ‘Working with Older Men: A Review of Age Concern Services’ (2006) - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237443978_Working_with_Older_Men

Luis Lineo was born in Ukraine to Chilean parents, and was raised there by a single mother. He moved to Sweden at the age of 12 as a refugee. As an adult, he became involved in work on masculinity, violence, and gender equality. We speak to him about the impact of watching on as his country of birth is invaded, and why masculinity and gender matter in the horrifying war on Ukraine. We also explore issues of inequality, integration, and violence in contemporary Sweden, and why Swedish society is more complicated than the beacon of gender equality it is often perceived to be.Luis is actively involved in Sweden’s Feminist Initiative Party and works at the secretariat for MenEngage Europe (MenEngage is a global network of civil society organisations working with men and boys for gender equality). For over 15 years he has been a journalist and sexuality educator, and helps to run a media house called Fanzingo for young people in a low-income area south of Stockholm. He is an active member of MÄN, a leading organisation in Sweden and Europe working on preventing men’s violence against women and a range of other masculinity issues. He is also a fan of rugby, and used to play for the Swedish national men’s rugby team!We cover the following topics in the episode:The impact of the war on Luis and his friends and familyLuis’s life growing up in Ukraine – and what led him to move to SwedenLuis’s experience of hosting a Ukrainian refugee family since the war beganWhy a masculinities perspective is so relevant to the war in UkraineRapid changes in Swedish foreign policy – including potentially joining NatoLuis’s experience of being involved in the Feminist Initiative PartyGender equality, gender norms and backlash in Sweden, e.g. around parental leaveRiots against the burning of the Quran in Sweden – and the influence of xenophobia and the far-rightHow Luis first got involved in gender equality workBeing a rugby player, and masculine cultures in rugbyFor more information...Follow Luis on Twitter - https://twitter.com/lucholineoFeminist Initiative Party - https://feministisktinitiativ.se/sprak/english/election-platform/MenEngage Alliance - https://menengage.orgMedia House Fanzingo - https://fanzingo.se/in-english/MÄN - https://mfj.se/enExplainers:Sweden has not yet signed or ratified the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) - https://www.icanw.org/swedenMalmö: Two women killed after violent attack at Swedish school (BBC) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60830059Swedish parental leave policy (Swedish Institute) - https://sweden.se/life/society/work-life-balanceWomen's Equality Party (UK) - https://womensequality.org.ukSweden riots over Quran burning: What is happening? (Al Jazeera) -https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/19/what-do-we-know-about-the-sweden-riotsLocker Room Talk (Sweden): https://lockerroomtalk.seBeyond Equality (UK): https://beyondequality.orgUK Rwanda asylum plan: Who does it target and is it going to happen? (The Guardian) - https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/apr/14/rwanda-asylum-plan-who-does-it-target-and-is-it-going-to-happenDon’t forget to subscribe to Now and Men, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Contact us at nowandmen@gmail.com if you have suggestions or questions you’d like us to discuss in future.

Some men are playing an active part in speaking out against violence towards women – but not nearly enough. So how do those men who are involved in anti-violence activism come to that position, and what can we learn from their experiences? March 2022 marks one year since Sarah Everard was murdered by a serving police officer, and given the anger this precipitated about the continued prevalence of violence against women and girls in the UK, this is a vital moment to consider what has changed since then, and what change remains needed – especially regarding men’s role in the solution. To explore these issues further, we speak to Professor of Criminology Nicole Westmarland. Nicole is the Director of Durham University’s Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (http://www.dur.ac.uk/criva), and is internationally recognised for her research in this area. Together with colleagues in Sweden and Spain, Nicole and Now and Men hosts Sandy and Stephen wrote a book entitled ‘Men’s Activism to End Violence Against Women’, published by Policy Press in 2021.The book is available to buy, or for free as an open access e-book, here: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/mens-activism-to-end-violence-against-women. We have also written two pieces for The Conversation UK, ‘How men can be allies to women right now’: https://theconversation.com/how-men-can-be-allies-to-women-right-now-157126 and ‘Sarah Everard, police culture and the ‘masculinised’ workplaces we can all help change’: https://theconversation.com/sarah-everard-police-culture-and-the-masculinised-workplaces-we-can-all-help-change-169774. In addition, we have produced a toolkit for the UK Government Equalities Office on ‘Engaging with men and boys about masculine gender norms’: http://dur.ac.uk/criva/geotoolkit/Nicole has also written a number of other books, including 'Violence Against Women - Criminological Perspectives on Men's Violences' (Routledge, 2015): https://www.routledge.com/Violence-against-Women-Criminological-perspectives-on-mens-violences/Westmarland/p/book/9781843923985 and ‘Researching Gender, Violence and Abuse’ (Routledge, 2019): https://www.routledge.com/Researching-Gender-Violence-and-Abuse-Theory-Methods-Action/Westmarland-Bows/p/book/9781138641266. She has co-led one of the biggest pieces of research about work with perpetrators of domestic abuse in the UK, Project Mirabal: https://projectmirabal.co.uk. You can find out more about Nicole's work here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/nicole-westmarland/, and follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Nwestmarland.We cover the following topics in this episode:What has changed in the year since Sarah Everard was murderedThe implications of this case for the police and for workplacesWhy Nicole wanted to research men who speak out against violence towards womenKey factors in why men get involved in this kind of activismPotential tensions when men become anti-violence activistsMale victim-survivors’ experiences of domestic abuse Nicole’s journey to becoming a professor – including her work and research as a taxi driverThe impact of doing this research on being a parentWork with perpetrators of domestic abuse and men’s capacity to changeMeaningful things men can do to stop violence against womenExplainers: No recourse to public funds - Many people who have migrated to the UK have no recourse to public funds, which means they cannot access many aspects of social security and housing assistance.Professor Stuart Hall at the 1970 National Women’s Liberation Conference creche -  https://www.ruskin.ac.uk/blog/on-this-day-at-ruskin-college-national-womens-liberation-conference/The John Worboys case - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cdwjdpex8qxt/john-worboys-caseThe Prison Reform Trust - http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.ukProfessor Pat Carlen - https://www.britsoccrim.org/pat-carlen/EDI = Equality, Diversity and Inclusion'Theresa May says there are 'boy jobs and girl jobs' in the home’ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-philip-may-husband-boy-jobs-girls-one-show-take-bins-out-bbc-prime-minister-marriage-a7727481.htmlFor domestic abuse support in the UK, contact the National Helpline: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk, the Men’s Advice Line: https://mensadviceline.org.uk, or the Respect Phoneline if you’re concerned about your own behaviour: https://respectphoneline.org.ukIf you've been affected by sexual violence, information and support is available from Rape Crisis: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/

There is probably no one who has had as big an impact on understandings of men and masculinities as Professor Raewyn Connell. She is one of the founders of this field of research, and has written what is perhaps its key text, the 1995 book ‘Masculinities’, in which she developed her hugely influential concept of hegemonic masculinity. Raewyn has also written and researched on a range of other issues in addition to gender and sexuality, from ‘Southern Theory’, to class, neoliberalism, education, and the politics of intellectual life. Now Professor Emerita at the University of Sydney, she recently received the International Sociological Association's Award for Excellence in Research and Practice, in recognition of her enormous contribution to social science.It was therefore a huge privilege to talk to Raewyn for this episode of Now and Men. We discuss her views on everything from Russia’s horrifying war on Ukraine, to the Covid-19 pandemic, to some of her earliest research with young men and its relevance to today, to the environmental movement, to her own life history and the experiences of trans women (and other trans groups). Raewyn is also a published poet, and she kindly shares one of her poems with us at the end of the episode.You can find out much more about the wealth of work Raewyn has done on her personal website, http://www.raewynconnell.net. Her most recent book is called ‘The Good University: What Universities Actually Do and Why It’s Time for Radical Change’, which was published by Zed Books in 2019: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/good-university-9781786995407/. She also recently wrote an article about this topic for The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/remaking-universities-notes-from-the-sidelines-of-catastrophe-175920Explainers:The 2nd edition of the book ‘Masculinities’ was published in 2005 by Routledge: https://www.routledge.com/Masculinities/Connell/p/book/9781741145199The 4th edition of the book ‘Gender: In World Perspective’ was published by Polity in 2020: https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=gender-in-world-perspective-4th-edition--9781509538997The book ‘Southern Theory: Social Science and the Global Dynamics of Knowledge’ was published by Polity in 2007: https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=southern-theory-social-science-and-the-global-dynamics-of-knowledge--9780745642482The book ‘Making the Difference: Schools, Families and Social Division’, was published by Routledge in 1982: https://www.routledge.com/Making-the-Difference-Schools-families-and-social-division/Connell/p/book/9780868611327. Raewyn also wrote an article about it in 2010 – ‘Making the Difference, Then and Now’: https://doi.org/10.1080/0159630022000029812Raewyn wrote an article about the climate crisis called ‘Masculinities in the Sociocene’ in 2017: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26241448‘Boys in Zinc’ by Nobel prize-winner Svetlana Alexievich (Penguin, 2017) - stories from the Soviet-Afghan War: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/295/295485/boys-in-zinc/9780241264119.htmlAttempts in Texas to open ‘child abuse’ investigations into parents who pursue gender-affirming surgeries and medical care for trans children: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/01/lawsuit-aims-to-block-texas-investigating-parents-seeking-care-trans-childrenWe mention 2 books by Prof Lynne Segal: ‘Out of Time: The Pleasures and the Perils of Ageing‘ (Verso, 2014): https://www.versobooks.com/books/1634-out-of-time and ‘Slow Motion: Changing Masculinities, Changing Men’ (3rd edition, Palgrave, 2007): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9780230582521

With the build-up of Russian troops on the borders of Ukraine, and the macho posturing of political leaders, military masculinities remain highly influential. But what does this concept mean, and is it something we should be concerned about? How are masculinities constructed within the armed forces? Is UK society becoming increasingly influenced by militarism? We explore these questions and much more with Professor Paul Higate.Paul is Professor in Security and Conflict at the University of Bath, in the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies. He is an advisory editor for the journal Men & Masculinities, and on the editorial board for the journal Critical Military Studies. He was previously in the Royal Air Force for 8 years as a non-commissioned officer, having enlisted when he was 17.Paul’s research has focused on the links between service in the British army and homelessness, the experience of armed service leavers more broadly, peacekeepers and sexual exploitation, security and host populations hosting peacekeeping operations, and Private Military Security Companies and masculinity. In 2003 he edited the book ‘Military Masculinities: Identity and the State’ (Praeger). You can read more about Paul’s work here: https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/paul-higate, and find him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higate-956876b/.We cover the following topics in this episode:What 'military masculinities' are The values celebrated within military masculinityHow the military is viewed in the UK Misogyny, homophobia, extremism in service subculturesParallels between military culture and other masculinised institutionsViolence against women in the military'Feminisation' of the military and more inclusionary approaches to race, sexuality, religionPaul’s experience in the RAF and the impact it had on himPaul’s PhD research on homelessness among veteransEarly recruitment of young people in the UKMilitarism in Britain: Troops to Teachers, cadet forces, services visibilityImpacts of war toys and video gamesSymbolism of the poppyWhat the military might look like in the futureSome of Paul’s work:Lecture on ‘Beyond the Myth of the Apolitical Actor: The Case of the British Military’: https://youtu.be/1DoOOp5gb2ELecture on ‘Interrogating British Armed Forces Recruiting in Contemporary Times’: https://youtu.be/_G9DMzuQ9XIArticle for Rethinking Security on ‘Racial Hierarchies and the War on Terror’ (2021): https://rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/2021/10/12/racial-hierarchies/Article for The Conversation UK on ‘Colour, gender, religion: There’s more than political correctness to the new British Army recruitment campaign’ (2018): https://theconversation.com/colour-gender-religion-theres-more-than-political-correctness-to-the-new-british-army-recruitment-campaign-90199Co-edited book on ‘Private Security in Africa: From the Global Assemblage to the Everyday’ (2017, Zed Books): https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/private-security-in-africa-9781786990259/Other resources of interest:Professor Cynthia Enloe: https://www2.clarku.edu/faculty/facultybio.cfm?id=343Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom: https://www.wilpf.orgMore info about UK Parliamentary report about women’s experiences in the armed forces: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jul/25/two-thirds-of-women-in-uk-military-report-bullying-and-sexual-abuseArticle by Stephen, Prof Nicole Westmarland and Sandy for The Conversation UK – ‘Sarah Everard, police culture and the ‘masculinised’ workplaces we can all help change’: https://theconversation.com/sarah-everard-police-culture-and-the-masculinised-workplaces-we-can-all-help-change-169774The film ‘if…’ (1968) mentioned by Sandy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If....Recent news story about the conduct of officers at Charing Cross Police Station: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-60215575

How do stereotypes about Black masculinity influence the lives and aspirations of Black men and boys today? What impacts do they have on individuals and institutions - and how are people of colour challenging such prejudices? How should white people - and especially white men - respond, and what should they do to support the struggle against racism? We explore these questions and much more with Professor Jason Arday, who is based in Durham University’s Department of Sociology like Stephen and Sandy, and is about to move to the School of Education at the University of Glasgow.Jason is a Trustee of the Runnymede Trust, the UK’s leading Race Equality Thinktank, and the British Sociological Association. He also sits on the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS) National Advisory Panel and the NHS Race and Health Observatory Academic Reference Group, as well as being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). He holds Visiting Fellowships at several institutions including Ohio State University.You can find out more about Jason’s work at https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/jason-a-arday/. He has a book coming out soon through Palgrave Macmillan called ‘Being Young, Black and Male: Challenging the Dominant Discourse’. He has written the book ‘Cool Britannia and Multi-Ethnic Britain: Uncorking the Champagne Supernova’ (Routledge, 2019): https://www.routledge.com/Cool-Britannia-and-Multi-Ethnic-Britain-Uncorking-the-Champagne-Supernova/Arday/p/book/9781138217409. Jason and Prof Heidi Mirza have co-edited the book ‘Dismantling Race in Higher Education: Racism, Whiteness and Decolonising the Academy’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-60261-5We cover the following topics in this episode:The ‘Colston Four’ verdict and removing statues of colonial figuresResponses to the Black Lives Matter movement in the UKHow Black masculinities are viewed, and the effects this hasStruggles around ‘talking to white people about race’Resisting racist stereotypes, and Jason’s upcoming book ‘Being Young, Black and Male: Challenging the dominant discourse’How Jason got involved in researching these issuesJason’s experience of growing up and dealing with disability as a Black manThe role of the education system in tackling race inequalityHow Covid-19 has interacted with structural racism in the UKPrinciples for white people in becoming genuine allies Music which reflects the challenges Jason has facedResources of interest:Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book ‘Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race’ (Bloomsbury, 2018): https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/why-im-no-longer-talking-to-white-people-about-race-9781408870587/Lemn Sissay’s book ‘My Name Is Why’ (Canongate, 2019): https://www.waterstones.com/book/my-name-is-why/lemn-sissay/9781786892362Guardian documentary ‘The Circle’, directed by Lanre Malaolu, about masculinity, racism and brotherhood on a Hackney estate (2020): https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2020/jul/15/the-circle-masculinity-racism-and-brotherhood-on-a-hackney-estate-videoSteve McQueen’s recent ‘Small Axe’ film series (2020): https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p08vxt33/small-axeExplainers:The ‘Colston Four’ case: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/05/four-cleared-of-toppling-edward-colston-statutePriti Patel described taking the knee as ‘gesture politics’: https://inews.co.uk/news/priti-patel-taking-the-knee-what-say-tyrone-mings-stoking-fire-racism-explained-1100801More information about Kemi Badenoch’s comments on critical race theory: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/aug/11/kemi-badenoch-never-far-from-controversy-in-brief-political-careerGlasgow was previously described as Europe’s ‘murder capital’ by the World Health Organization: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45572691Professor Heidi Mirza: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/may/spotlight-professor-heidi-mirzaLinto Kwesi Johnson: https://lintonkwesijohnson.com/linton-kwesi-johnson/Professor Paul Gilroy: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/aug/05/paul-gilroy-britain-scholar-race-humanism-vital-guide-age-of-crisis

At Christmas time, many of us are buying toys for the children in our lives. But do toys, and the way they are promoted, play a significant role in reinforcing gender stereotypes from a young age? What impact does it have on boys that they are frequently encouraged to play with vehicles, construction toys, weapons – but rarely dolls, domestic toys, fashion or crafts? In this Christmas Special episode of Now and Men, we explore these issues with Olivia Dickinson from the UK campaign Let Toys Be Toys. We discuss new research Let Toys Be Toys have just published, showing that whilst progress is being made, gender stereotypes remain widespread in TV toy advertising, with adverts featuring girls often focusing on themes of fashion, beauty, ‘be nice’ and consumerism, and adverts featuring boys often focusing on action and conflict. Read more about the research here: https://lettoysbetoys.org.uk/tvads2021/. Let Toys Be Toys have 'Just 4 Asks' for manufacturers, retailers and now advertisers: https://www.lettoysbetoys.org.uk/just4asks/. They have also created some videos for advertisers: https://www.lettoysbetoys.org.uk/toyads-just4asks/Olivia has 20 years’ experiences of working in children’s media across Amazon, the BBC, Nickelodeon and Sky Kids. She provides training for school staff and trainee teachers, as well as consulting for children's TV and digital companies on equality issues, and is a member of the executive group responsible for diversity and inclusion at The Children’s Media Foundation. You can find out more and get involved in Let Toys Be Toys at https://lettoysbetoys.org.uk. Follow Olivia on Twitter at https://twitter.com/OlivaceousD, and on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/oliviadickinson/. She has also been involved in the charity Lifting Limits, who you can find out more about at: https://liftinglimits.org.uk. Read their pilot evaluation here: https://liftinglimits.org.uk/pilot-evaluation/In the episode we cover the following topics:How gender stereotypes are reinforced through toys and other parts of children’s lives (e.g. media, advertising, publishing, clothes) and why this is harmfulWhat impact this has on boys and on constructions of masculinityWays in which children resist these influencesHow gender stereotypes in childhood have changed (and in some cases become more significant) over timeAchievements of the Let Toys Be Toys campaignThe role that toy companies are playing and how they could do betterHow gendered marketing contributes to more consumption and more environmental damageThe work of Lifting Limits and how schools and educators can help challenge gender stereotypesHow Olivia got involved in campaigning on these issues and how she keeps motivatedAdvice she would give to parents and other adults about how to help children not be held back by gender stereotypesThe following resources were also discussed during the episode…Let Toys Be Toys article on 10 ways to challenge gender stereotypes in the classroom: https://www.lettoysbetoys.org.uk/resources/ten-ways-to-challenge-gender-stereotypes-in-the-classroom/Let Toys Be Toys article about the relationship between toys, gender stereotypes, and environmental sustainability: https://www.lettoysbetoys.org.uk/toysandourplanet/Let Clothes Be Clothes campaign: https://letclothesbeclothes.co.ukNew guide just released by LIONS and The Fawcett Society about smashing gender stereotypes in children’s advertising: https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/news/the-fawcett-society-and-lions-release-new-guide-aimed-at-smashing-gender-stereotypes-in-childrens-advertisingThe Fawcett Society Commission on Gender Stereotypes in Early Childhood: https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/smashstereotypesAdvice from the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) following their ban on gender stereotyping in advertising: https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/harm-and-offence-gender-stereotypes.htmlNational Education Union ‘Breaking the Mould’ research: https://neu.org.uk/breaking-mouldNo More Boys and Girls BBC Documentary: https://youtu.be/wN5R2LWhTrYGender Action resource library: https://genderaction.co.uk/online-resourcesInstitute of Physics School resources to address gender imbalance: https://iop.org/school-resources-address-gender-imbalanceDr Elizabeth Sweet's research on gender and children's toys: https://elizabethvsweet.com/researchHave a lovely festive season everyone!

What do men, gender inequality and the climate crisis have to do with each other? What role might masculinities be playing in contributing to environmental destruction? In the wake of COP26, hear Professor Bob Pease discuss why men need to recreate our relationships with nature in order to tackle global heating in this episode of Now and Men. Bob is an Adjunct Professor in the Institute for Social Change at the University of Tasmania in Australia, and an Honorary Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Deakin University. He is a pro-feminist academic and activist with a background in critical social work, who has been involved in research and campaigning around ending men's violence against women for several decades, and has recently been exploring the gendered dynamics of natural disasters and climate change.The episode covers the following topics…Bob’s reflections on the COP26 UN Climate Conference in Glasgow.Why studying men and masculinities can help us to understand the climate and ecological crises, and how a pro-feminist lens offers solutions for tackling them.How masculinities can affect and hinder men’s emotional responses to natural disasters, such as the bushfires in Australia.Bob’s reflections on his participation in anti-sexist activism and research since the 1970’s, and how he came to be involved in the first place.His advice for men interested in getting involved in pro-feminist, anti-violence work today.Why men should want to work to undo male privilege.What Bob does to maintain a sense of hope in the work he does.You can find out more about Bob’s work here: https://rmdb.research.utas.edu.au/public/rmdb/q/indiv_detail_warp_trans/19205. He has written and edited more than 15 books during his career, the most recent of which include:‘Undoing Privilege: Unearned Advantage and Systemic Injustice in an Unequal World’ – the second edition of which will be published on 16th December 2021 by Bloomsbury: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/undoing-privilege-9781913441135/‘Post-Anthropocentric Social Work: Critical Posthuman and New Materialist Perspectives’ (Routledge, 2021, co-edited with Prof Vivienne Bozalek): https://www.routledge.com/Post-Anthropocentric-Social-Work-Critical-Posthuman-and-New-Materialist/Bozalek-Pease/p/book/9780367349653‘Facing Patriarchy: From a Violent Gender Order to a Culture of Peace’ (Zed Books, 2019): https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/facing-patriarchy-from-a-violent-gender-order-to-a-culture-of-peace/‘Men, Masculinities and Disaster’ (Routledge, 2016, co-edited with Dr Elaine Enarson):https://www.routledge.com/Men-Masculinities-and-Disaster/Enarson-Pease/p/book/9781138324602You can read his article, ‘Recreating Men’s Relationship with Nature: Toward a Profeminist Environmentalism’, in the journal Men and Masculinities here: https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X18805566

How and why has men’s health been so badly impacted by Covid-19? What do masculinities and feminism have to do with men’s health? What are some of the key issues affecting the wellbeing of men and boys in the UK today, and what can we do about it? Find out more in the latest episode of Now and Men, with international men’s health expert Peter Baker. Peter is the Director of the Global Action on Men’s Health network, and for 12 years was the Chief Executive of the Men’s Health Forum in the UK. Until 2020 he was also the Campaign Director for HPV Action, and in 2018 received the Royal Society for Public Health’s award for Outstanding Contribution to Championing the Public’s Health because of his efforts in getting boys vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus).Topics covered in this episode include…Why Covid-19 demonstrates the need to engage much more with men and boys about their physical and mental health (for example, regarding vaccinations).Why the male suicide rate does not appear to have increased so far during the pandemic.How Peter got involved in working on men’s health, and the impact of his own experiences of growing up as a boy.Peter’s involvement in anti-sexist activism such as the magazine Achilles Heel, and why feminism has made a vital contribution to men’s health.The effects of pornography on men and boys, and Peter’s involvement in anti-pornography campaigning.The impacts of masculine gender norms and expectations on men’s and boys’ health.The increasing struggles some men and boys are facing around body image.Peter’s campaigning for boys to get vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV).What works, what some of the tensions are, and what policies are needed to improve the health of men and boys. You can find out more about Peter and his work at his website, https://pbmenshealth.co.uk. You can also follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pbmenshealth, and on LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/pbmenshealth/.Other organisations and resources mentioned in the episode…Global Action on Men’s Health: https://gamh.orgUK Men’s Health Forum: https://www.menshealthforum.org.ukHPV Action: http://www.hpvaction.orgBritish Medical Journal (BMJ) piece, ‘Our response to Covid-19 must not be gender blind nor a gender battle’: https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/07/02/our-response-to-covid-19-must-not-be-gender-blind-nor-a-gender-battle/UK Men’s Sheds Association: https://menssheds.org.uk