Sounds like a very simple solution to such a complex issue. That should make us wonder!
Wenn Männlichkeit nur von ihren vordergründig schlechten Eigenschaften befreit und ein paar neue, nette Eigenschaften hinzugefügt werden, dann ändert sich trotzdem nichts am Geschlechterverhältnis. Entschuldigt das abgedroschene Bild: Die Schublade ‚männlich‘ wird vielleicht entrümpelt, bleibt aber intakt und vor allen Dingen an ihrer privilegierten Position im Regal. Es muss vielmehr um eine Kritik an Männlichkeit und den damit verbundenen Machtverhältnissen gehen und nicht nur um eine “Kritische Männlichkeit”.
That the content of the drawer 'masculinity' is convertible also becomes visible in historical or intercultural comparison: What is understood by (socially accepted) masculinity can be different. Sometimes men are allowed to wear jewellery, sometimes it emasculates them. Sometimes the romantic minstrels are the womanisers, sometimes it's Vin Diesel. But what always remains the same is the drawer 'masculinity'.
In verschiedenen Lebensbereichen werden beispielsweise zunehmend Eigenschaften wichtig, die eher im Widerspruch zur klassischen männlichen Sozialisation stehen. Neue Männlichkeitsanforderungen wie zum Beispiel Einfühlungsvermögen, Reflektiertheit, Teamfähigkeit, Kommunikation oder Kindererziehung werden häufiger nachgefragt. Also müssen sich Männer in vielen Lebensbereichen ein gewisses Update verpassen, um nicht bald aussortiert zu werden.
But it is not enough if critical masculinity only causes easily changeable and superficial behaviours to be discarded and new demands to be met, while power in the same or other areas of life is still distributed to men (now rather the "critical" ones).
The fact that the drawer 'masculine' remains in place and continues to be effective despite the clearing out is also shown when cis men compete with each other about who is woker now and who questions their masculinity more. And there you have it: classic male competition in the guise of feminism.
And this shows that an individual reinterpretation of masculinity does not touch gender relations. Cis Men still get more pay than women, even with painted fingernails. So the real problem - the oppression by patriarchy - remains.
And what does this mean for the critical calendar? First of all, accept the insecurity and contradiction! It is about questioning one's own work on masculinity again and again. Work on Masculinity must not only superficially revolve around one's own masculinity, but should always question the existing relations of domination and support feminist struggles.
This text was written by two male-socialised persons.
➡Lese- und Hörtipps
- For those who like to listen to something: Here is a lecture by Kim Posster, in which critical masculinity is critiqued very well, vividly and deeply in just under an hour. (german)
- On the critique of the concept of toxic or progressive masculinity (german)
- On possible profeminist praxis approaches (german)
- The following blog deals with masculinity critique and has an extensive reading corner (german)