Earlier this year Clementine Ford wrote “Men of Australia, it's time to pick your side” and called for action to address “the very real, ever present, issue of men’s violence against [women].“
I found myself feeling frustrated because men are more likely than women to be violently assaulted.
While around eighty percent of reported violence is the result of male perpetrators, it is a fraction of men responsible for these crimes.
If you accept Ford’s argument, then you would likely agree that Muslims need to stop terrorism.
Yet anyone with a basic understanding of Islam would recognise that it is a small section of extremists who engage in terrorism.
Many terrorists seem to be radicalised through being marginalised.
I wonder if there’s a need to address radical masculinity in our society?
Perhaps we could look at how traditionally male roles have quickly changed and ponder whether marginalised men are becoming fanatics?
Maybe there is a role for some men to help change the attitudes of other men, but I feel it is everyone’s role to address sexism.
As a man who has been assaulted, I found there was no support.
I want to stop violence but I don’t feel it can be done by trying to correct the attitudes of those who could abuse me.
I hate seeing myself lumped in with my bullies.
Men of Australia, it's time to pick your outlet and to make a practise of reflecting on what triggers your emotional responses.
