ppp: pacify, placate and pass
Question: Are Male Feminists the Real Deal or Just Playing Dress-Up?
Ah, the modern man: he’s got his avocado toast, a well-groomed beard, and—wait for it—a feminist label! Yes, folks, according to recent surveys, 22% of men in the United States proudly declare themselves feminists. That’s right! They’ve donned the feminist cape, ready to save the day (or at least their social media reputation). But let’s dive deeper into this so-called “male feminist” phenomenon and see if it’s all just a clever marketing ploy. I was at an event celebrating women in finance and strangely enough the panel of speakers was a quarter male speakers. The panel used a lot of buzzy words and when it came down to answering the questions the vibe was all talk no action .
22% of men in the US proudly declare themselves feminists.
A whopping 40% of men say the term "feminist" describes them at least somewhat well. This is great news for anyone who loves a good buzzword! But hold your applause—only 43% of Gen Z men identify as feminists compared to a robust 61% of Gen Z women. So, what gives? Are the guys just too busy playing video games or scrolling through TikTok to join the feminist revolution? It seems that while many men are eager to claim the label, they might not fully grasp what it entails. Yes, you can wear a “This is What a Feminist Looks Like” T-shirt, but if you’re still mansplaining at brunch, you might want to rethink your wardrobe choices.
Critics argue that these male feminists often fall into the trap of performative allyship—showing up at marches and tweeting about gender equality while simultaneously undermining women in their personal and professional lives. It’s like showing up to a potluck with a store-bought pie and claiming you’re a master baker.Now, let’s sprinkle in some generational context. Among Millennials, there was more gender parity in feminist identification—54% of women and 52% of men were on the same page. But fast forward to Gen Z, where we see that 18-point gender gap. What happened? Did someone tell young men that feminism is just for girls? Or are they simply too busy contemplating their next TikTok dance challenge?Speaking of challenges, let’s chat about perceptions of gender equality.
A recent study revealed that 79% of adults believe it’s very important for women to have equal rights with men.
A recent study revealed that 79% of adults believe it’s very important for women to have equal rights with men. That’s fantastic! But here’s where it gets spicy: 45% of young men now believe they face gender-based discrimination. Oh dear! Is this what we call “the patriarchy striking back”? Meanwhile, 28% of men think women’s gains have come at their expense. Newsflash: feminism isn’t a zero-sum game!Globally, attitudes toward gender equality are all over the map. According to an Ipsos study conducted for International Women’s Day, only two in ten adults deny gender inequality exists. But when it comes to online behavior? Nearly one in ten men think it’s acceptable to send unsolicited explicit images. Yikes! That’s not exactly what we’d call “supportive behavior.” And while four in ten adults have experienced online abuse or seen sexist content, one-third believe women are just overreacting. Classic!
So what does all this mean for our male feminists? It means they need to step up their game—or maybe just step aside. True feminism requires more than just adopting a trendy label; it demands action and accountability. Men can absolutely be allies in the fight for gender equality, but they need to do so with humility and an understanding of their own privilege.In conclusion, while we applaud those men who genuinely support feminism, we can’t ignore the performative allyship that often clouds the conversation. So gentlemen, if you’re going to wear that feminist badge, make sure you’re backing it up with real action—not just Instagram stories featuring your latest “feminist” read. Because at the end of the day, feminism isn’t about being a hero; it’s about lifting up women and dismantling the systems that hold them back.So grab your avocado toast and join the cause—but remember: true allyship is more than just a hashtag; it's about making space for women's voices without overshadowing them. Now go forth and be better!