Episode 55

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Published on:

12th Jun 2025

Is Masculinity Worth Saving? And How is Radical Feminism Relevant to Men? - Dr Finn Mackay

Society is obsessed with masculinity, and constantly discussing how it's 'in crisis'. But how helpful are these debates? Can masculinity be reshaped as 'positive' or 'healthy' - and should that be our focus? In a challenging new paper – 'Positive humanity, when? Is masculinity worth saving?' – Dr Finn Mackay argues that policy aimed at saving men and alleviating their suffering does not address men's humanity, but is erroneously focused on 'saving' masculinity. Instead, Finn believes we should aspire to be positive, healthy people and equal human beings, without needing to have our identities as men reinforced. Rather than recycling tired biological essentialism, Finn concludes "it is time for men and women to start acting like we really believe we are not separate spheres, but on the same planet, with the same needs for love and care, the same need to matter to our communities, the same need for life". Finn advocates for a radical feminist analysis, arguing that it offers positive solutions to the problems all of us face - including men and boys.

The episode discusses Finn's 2021 book 'Female Masculinities and the Gender Wars: The Politics of Sex'. Based on research they conducted on lesbian and queer masculinities in the UK, they explore the challenges and obstacles facing those who do not fit into strict boxes of sex and gender. This is particularly topical given the recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refer only to "biological women" and "biological sex". Decrying the widespread scapegoating and demonising of trans people, Finn argues they have become easy targets for regressive gender conservatism. 

Finn ends by talking movingly about their personal journey from growing up in rural Scotland, to living at women's peace camps outside military bases, and the impact that feminism – especially radical feminism – has had on their life.

Finn is a senior lecturer in Sociology at the University of the West of England, and they have a long history of feminist research and activism. Prior to academia, Finn was involved in education and youth work on issues including domestic violence prevention and anti-bullying. In 2004, they founded the London Feminist Network, and revived the tradition of London Reclaim the Night. Their previous book 'Radical Feminism: Feminist Activism in Movement' (2015) set out a pioneering feminist manifesto analysing the reasons for women’s oppression and what feminist activism must do to counter it.

Episode timeline

  • Intro
  • Current debates about masculinity (02:02-03:56)
  • Is 'positive masculinity' the answer? (03:56-06:12)
  • Why masculinity is crisis (06:12-08:59)
  • Reinforcing gender dualisms through segregation (08:59-13:12)
  • Boys starting school later (13:12-15:48)
  • The allure of patriarchal norms in times of crisis (15:48-18:46)
  • Why radical feminism offers hope to boys and men (18:46-22:45)
  • What men can do to support radical feminism (22:45-25:40)
  • Break
  • How to define radical feminism and essentialism (25:56-33:21)
  • Finn's research on lesbian and queer masculinities (33:21-37:09)
  • Simultaneously identifying with and critiquing masculinity (37:09-41:57)
  • The UK supreme court decision on 'biological women' (41:57-45:50)
  • Trans panic and the gender equality backlash (45:50-49:49)
  • Reconciling the divides over trans rights (49:49-55:55)
  • Finn's personal feminist journey (55:55-01:02:20)
  • Conclusion [Learning from radical feminism; How can men deal feminist divisions?; Patriarchy is the problem; Continuity and crisis; Men who supported the peace camps; Dismantling essentialism] (01:02:28-01:08:00)

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About the Podcast

Now and Men
Changing Masculinities, Challenging Norms
What role can men play in achieving gender equality?
Why is feminism good for men?
How are rigid ideas about masculinity holding back our lives—and how are people around the world challenging them?

These are the questions at the heart of Now and Men, a podcast hosted by social researchers Dr Stephen Burrell (Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Australia) and Sandy Ruxton (Independent Researcher and Honorary Fellow at Durham University, UK).

We explore masculinity and change in the lives of men and boys today, diving into issues such as gender-based violence, fatherhood, men’s health, politics and the environment. Grounded in feminist thinking, our conversations connect big ideas to everyday experiences—showing how gender shapes all of us, and how men can be part of building a more equal world.

At a time when regressive versions of masculinity are resurging—amplified by political leaders, online influencers, even podcasters—we spotlight the people pushing back. Each episode features inspiring voices working to engage men and boys in positive, transformative ways and imagining feminist futures.

New episodes drop every month. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts, and join us in exploring what healthy, caring, equitable paths forward can look like for men. Questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you at nowandmen@gmail.com.

About your hosts

Stephen Burrell

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I am a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Melbourne. I'm originally from the UK, and moved to Australia at the beginning of 2024. My research is about men, masculinities, and violence. I am particularly interested in the prevention of men's violence - especially violence against women, and violence against the environment - and promoting care as an alternative. I'm a big fan of feminism, drinking tea, connecting with nature, eating vegan snacks, and listening to heavy metal.

Sandy Ruxton

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Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Durham University (UK). Independent researcher, expert on men and masculinities. Previous policy work on human rights, children and families, poverty and social exclusion, and asylum and migration. Programme experience with boys and young men in schools, community, and prisons. Steering Committee member, MenEngage Europe. Volunteer for OX4 Food Crew. Chess-player, bike-rider, tree-hugger. Great grandfather edited Boy's Own Paper, but was sacked.