“I’m Sure as Hell Not Putting Any Man on a Pedestal”: Male Privilege and Accountability in Domestic and Sexual Violence Work

Abstract

Efforts to involve men as allies in domestic and sexual violence work are expanding, marking a shift for these historically women-led movements. Although this shift is beneficial, it also generates new challenges. From a multi-method qualitative study, this article presents descriptive findings about the internal tensions accompanying the "men as allies" development, namely the gender inequality and male privilege reproduced within movement organizations. I draw on sociological theorizing about men in female-dominated professions to explain the reproduction of gender inequality within movement spaces. I also examine how people are dealing with these tensions by developing a discourse around "men's accountability." My findings suggest that, although discourse about accountability has been successfully integrated into the culture of domestic and sexual violence work, there are key challenges that hinder effective accountability practices. I end by offering suggestions for implementing accountability practices at the organizational level. This study contributes important empirical and theoretical insights currently missing from the literature on male allies, which can be used to inform men's growing involvement in anti-violence work.

Seeing the Invisible Knapsack: Feminist Men’s Strategic Responses to the Continuation of Male Privilege in Feminist Spaces

“…Existing literature has confirmed the finding that male privilege persists in gender justice organizations and movements, such that men receive disproportionate benefits for their involvement (Bridges 2010;Casey 2010;Flood 2005;Linder and Johnson 2015;Kretschmer and Barber 2016;Macomber 2015;Messner, Greenberg, and Peretz 2015;Pease 2017). In my interviews with men who work or volunteer for gender justice causes, participants shared stories of receiving inordinate praise, greater notoriety, instant credibility, greater career mobility and assistance in the workplace, and extra erotic/romantic allure, a constellation of phenomena I call pedestal effect (Messner, Greenberg, and Peretz 2015).…”

“…The persistence of male privilege within feminist spaces, the awareness demonstrated and responses constructed by the privileged men themselves, and their frustrated inability to respond effectively to macrolevel concerns all complicate the existing literature on privilege (Bridges 2010;Flood 2005;Macomber 2015). Even once the "invisible knapsack" is made visible, privilege still exists, despite men's efforts to curtail it.…”

“…These kinds of critiques of men's allyship are becoming more common and are part of the reason why a more effective theorization of privilege is vital. In one of the most thorough investigations, Macomber (2015) argues that "men's increasing involvement as 'allies' does not occur without problems . .…”

“…There is research support for the idea that life experience can allow men to become aware and critical of male privilege (e.g., Casey 2010; Casey and Smith 2010;Macomber 2015;Messner, Greenberg, and Peretz 2015;Peretz 2017;Schilt 2006;White and Peretz 2010). Interviewing thirteen men anti-violence activist, Macomber (2015) finds "[m]ost male activists are well aware of their elevated status in the movement . .…”

“We Learn How to Become Good Men”: Working with Male Allies to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls in Urban Informal Settlements in Mumbai, India

“…The Coalition of Feminists for Social Change (COFEM) have said recently that efforts to engage men often lack a feminist analysis, draw attention away from the structural nature of VAWG ( COFEM 2017b , 2017c ), and lead to lack of accountability in program development and policy frameworks ( COFEM 2017a ). We propose that conversations among activists and social organizations must address the question of accountability in engaging men ( K. Macomber 2015 ). Paying attention to men’s needs and anxieties must be accompanied by an understanding of the emotional labor involved in women’s efforts to prevent violence and address other gendered issues We are addressing these important issues in our ongoing work, in which we have incorporated insights from the research to ensure that individuating effects are minimized in men’s engagement in VAWG prevention.…”