Education bewilderment begins in preschool, where boys are systematically devalued by institutionalized gender inequality. The gender bias against males continues through colleges where young men will be faced with two similarly named programs, young adults entering college can easily become confused. College level program choices might seem merely a matter of semantics; there is a distinct difference between men’s and a newly evolving male studies. The former curriculum is framed by feminist theory and serves to advance conflict between the sexes. In contrast, the latter has been formulated by humanists, scientists, and doctors, and is premised on empirical science and genuine masculinity.
In theory, these programs are aimed at addressing needs that have often been ignored, but the feminist-inspired men’s studies programs are having an unintended and harmful effect. One result is that colleges that have favored women’s or feminist studies programs have seen the numbers of male attendees, already in the minority at around 40% nationwide, continue to fall as they transfer elsewhere or give up on attending altogether.
The same is not true at colleges that are expected to adopt the emergent male studies approach, or at the least, which offer students a choice between the two. These institutions will be helping to reverse a biased mindset and radical feminist-defined framework that has been heavily stacked against masculine ideals. Thankfully, by advocating for male studies we all contribute to propelling the culture of boys and men forward, like a pendulum that reverses course after a long swing backward.
The Warring Organizations
To better understand the differences between men’s and the evolving male studies programs, it helps to know who the key proponents are. In the case of the former, it has been the American Men’s Studies Association (AMSA), founded by gender studies professors and defined by the catchphrase “advancing the critical study of men and masculinity.” Overseen by President Ms. Daphne C. Watkins, Ph.D., AMSA’s curriculum is an outgrowth of feminist and women’s studies on men and masculinity; it is also intended as additional coursework for gender studies teachers seeking to broaden their purview. Broadly speaking, the focus is on how dominant social structures intersect with the oppressed classes, including women; people of color; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and queer (LGBTQ) individuals.
The primary force behind the latter initiatives has been the Foundation for Male Studies (FMS), founded by Edward M. Stephens, MD. The FMS curriculum explores the struggles and triumphs of men, though without contextualizing those ideas as one-half of the male-female binary. In other words, it is not an offshoot of feminist theory. The FMS efforts focus on the biological, scientific and behavioral differences between men and women that are not being addressed, as detailed in an article at Inside Higher Ed, and the New York Times article The Study of Man (or Males).
Dueling Curriculum Outline
Beyond those broader missions, a more granular assessment reveals distinct differences between the two camps, regarding approaches, perspectives and the intellectual and organizational leadership engaging in research and setting the agenda. As illustrated in the table below, they have little in common despite the fact that both are supposed to be addressing the same issue:
Dueling Curriculum Outline
| AMSA
American Men’s Studies Association |
FMS
Foundation for Male Studies |
| Intended for Students:
All culture’s, gender identities and orientations |
Intended for Students:
All culture’s, gender identities and orientations |
| AMSA Board’s Academic Background:
Humanities, Feminism, Women’s and Gender Studies, Sociology, Psychology |
FMS Board’s Academic Background:
Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, Biomedical, Child Development |
| Board’s Geographic Latitude:
America, Latin America, Canada |
Board’s Geographic Latitude:
America, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, Canada, Australia, Sweden, South Africa |
| Professors:
Most are professors with doctorates in women’s and gender studies |
Professors:
Most are professors with doctorates in biology, science and psychology |
| Foundation of Theory:
Feminism and Women’s and Social Studies |
Foundation of Theory:
Biology, Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy |
| Worldview:
Patriarchal, oppressive males dominate groups deemed as second- and third-class |
Worldview:
Individuals are responsible for themselves and society |
| Philosophy:
Breakdown the societal and institutional sexism and racism |
Philosophy:
Improve society for all through respectable practices |
| Approach to violence:
Tear down the patriarchy and teach men a lesson |
Approach to violence:
Prefer personal transformation and accountability |
| Educational Approach:
Men Intersect with Society and Gender |
Education Approach:
Science, Social, and Phycology of Men |
| Gender Approach:
Gender is a Social Construct |
Gender Approach:
Gender is biologically-based, with social influences |
| Advocacy:
Equality and justice for women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals |
Advocacy:
Authenticity, integrity, equality and justice for all |
| Political leaning:
Left |
Political Leaning:
None |
| Social Critical Lens:
Women and LGBTQ individuals face oppression from heterosexual men |
Social Critical Lens:
Everyone faces oppression and obstacles from society and individuals |
Masculinity Ideology:
|
Masculinity Ideology:
|
| Publications of Note:
Purchase at Amazon (Click Here). Mairtin Mac an Ghaill, Chris Haywood |
Publications of Note:
Free online at (Click Here). Dr. Miles Groth, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology |
Students are empowered to become:
|
Students are empowered to become:
|
| Musical Theme:
Beyoncés: Girls Run The World |
Musical Theme:
Survivor’s: Eye of the Tiger |
| WEBSITE: (AMSA’s Web Site Click Here)
Donations Welcome |
WEBSITE: (FMS Web Site Click Here)
Donations Welcome |
Conclusion
About five million college graduates will set out on their career journeys this year, hopefully living the sort of life that they truly desire. In some cases, they will find their way into research efforts and industries that are working to pull humanity back from the brink of looming social, climate, and natural resource disasters. Our survival demands that each of us is able to unleash our unique capabilities and make whatever contribution we can to sustain our civilization.
Because of this, our society hungers for males with clear minds and hearts. While men must be aware of the fear and inherent vulnerabilities, they must also be capable of discovering and nurturing their authentic selves, as well as the virile assets and the male virtues that will inspire and support our future. While all men, young or old, should be so lucky, it is likely that most of us probably knows someone, perhaps a young boy, who has looked up into our eyes in search of hope and the kind of guidance that male children, teenage boys and young men need. It is in our interests to open our hearts and hands to these individuals (and others) to help them follow the right path.
We must advocate for male studies and help to propel the culture of boys and men forward.
This means–especially now–the move toward equal treatment and respect for all people, whether male or female, is underway. In a sense, this is finally a home run for the boys. A beacon shines into decades of blackness; there is renewed optimism for genuine equality.
The most critical reference for Dr. Edward M. Stephen’s science of the male is presented by preeminent scholars talking to each other in an uninterrupted dialogue that goes to the heart of the matter. (Click here to read.)
