Episode 47

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Published on:

17th Oct 2024

The Presidential Election, Reproductive Rights, and a 'New Masculinity' in the US? - Rob Okun

With the US presidential election fast approaching, and the unexpected entry of Kamala Harris into the race, gender issues are central to the debate. Polls suggest women are more likely to vote Democrat, and men – including young men – more likely to vote Republican. A particular focus of both campaigns is on seeking to win men over, drawing upon different cultural narratives of masculinity. How is the Trump/Vance campaign drawing on masculinist and misogynistic discourses to appeal to those men who feel marginalised and resentful of women’s gains? How are the Harris/Walz campaign seeking to promote a ‘new masculinity’, where men can be both steady and strong, tender and vulnerable? 

In this episode, we explore with Rob Okun how this contemporary contest reflects shifting notions of masculinity over the past 50 years in the US. In particular, we discuss reproductive rights after the Roe vs Wade protection of the right to abortion was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022, and the ways in which increasing numbers of men are acting in support of women’s right to choose. 

We also talk with Rob about his longstanding involvement in the US profeminist men’s movement, and how becoming a father was a key factor in his own journey to activism and engagement. Rob is perhaps best known for being the editor and publisher from 1996 to 2023 of Voice Male magazine, covering topics including men’s violence, fatherhood, men’s health, and LGBTQIA+ issues, both in the US and internationally. He is also the editor of an excellent book, ‘Voice Male: The Untold Story of the Profeminist Men’s Movement’. He is a former executive director of the Men’s Resource Center for Change, which was one of the earliest men’s centers in North America. He continues to speak at colleges and universities around the US, and writes for newspapers and websites such as Ms. Magazine.

Episode timeline

  • Intro
  • The impact of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina (02:22-07:11)
  • The potential significance of having a woman of colour as president (07:11-13:08)
  • The ‘gender split’ in voting patterns (13:08-17:11)
  • How Trump and Vance have been exploiting some men’s grievances (17:11-24:44)
  • A ‘new masculinity’ among the Democrats? (24:44-29:58)
  • Break
  • Rob’s journey In the US profeminist men’s movement (30:05-40:29)
  • How Voice Male developed over time (40:29-45:38)
  • How Rob sees his role in the movement now (45:38-51:18)
  • What he thinks Americans should do ahead of the election (51:18-54:17)
  • Conclusion [Comparing with Jackson Katz interview; The Man Card film; ‘Tampon Tim’; Democrat leaders still needing to emphasise their toughness; Trump targeting young men; the US being a centre-left country; The impact of fatherhood; Overlaps in activism] (54:22-01:00:37)

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About the Podcast

Now and Men
Current conversations about men's lives
What's it like to be a man in the 21st century? How are feminist issues relevant to men and boys? How can we engage in productive conversations about gender equality? These questions are being discussed more than ever.

Our monthly podcast delves into these issues with experts such as practitioners, activists and academics. In each episode, you’ll hear in-depth conversations about a wide-range of topics connected to masculinity and the lives of men and boys, such as preventing gender-based violence, promoting active fatherhood, and supporting men's health.

The podcast is hosted by two social science researchers, based on the opposite sides of the world: Sandy Ruxton from Durham University's Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (UK) and Dr Stephen Burrell from the University of Melbourne (Australia). If you would like to give us your feedback, suggest a guest, or have a question you'd like us to discuss, get in touch at nowandmen@gmail.com. And if you like what we do, please share us with your friends, and leave a review on Apple podcasts!

About your hosts

Stephen Burrell

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I am a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where I moved from the UK at the beginning of 2024. My research is about men, masculinities and violence. I am particularly interested in the prevention of men's violence against women, building gender equality, addressing environmental harm, and promoting an ethic of care among men and boys. In my spare time I'm a big fan of drinking tea, being in nature, eating vegan ice cream, and listening to heavy metal music. I'm also a trustee for White Ribbon UK.

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.