Men and Gender Mainstreaming: Prospects and Pitfalls of a European Strategy

Abstract

Today, what is called “Gender Mainstreaming” is the main strategy of the European Union to work toward gender equality. The definitions of Gender Mainstreaming explicitly include men, and there have been first efforts to integrate a men's perspective into this strategy. Referring approaches are outlined in this paper, and the respective chances and problems are addressed. Relevant aspects of the discussion in the German speaking countries and some practical experiences within Gender Mainstreaming projects are highlighted, with a focus on Austria. At the moment, an important stream of the discussion refers to the reallocation of paid labor and unpaid caring work among men and women. Thus, this thematic focus is maintained throughout the paper, as an example for a two-edged topic between emancipation and hetero-normativity. Inputs from Northern Europe as the model region concerning gender equality and important international sources from critical men's studies and queer theory are used as reference points.

Perceived Age, Gender, and Racial/Ethnic Discrimination in Europe: Results from the European Social Survey

“…The study of sexism in Europe is important given ongoing efforts to promote gender equality or mainstreaming across Europe (Scambor & Scambor, 2008). Similar to ageism, the high prevalence of sexism is well documented.…”

Framing the involvement of men in gender equality in Europe: Between institutionalised and non-institutionalised politics

“…Focusing on men within gender equality strategies might include the danger that resources actually designated for promoting women's interests are re-allocated to promote men's interests. (Scambor & Scambor, 2008;Pease, 2006) Some authors also suggest that the feminist orientation of gender equality might be weakened and that it might be distinguished into separate male-femaleissues and not be within a gender equality framework. (Pease, 2006) Therefore it is very important that the topic men and gender equality is embedded in gender equality strategies and developed with close exchange between feminist theory, gender equality and critical men's studies in order to avoid simplifications.…”

“…Although the concept of gender mainstreaming actively emphasises the involvement of 'both genders' and various relational gender concepts, men were often left out and the strategies were contextualised mainly as 'women's issues'. (Holter, 2003;Scambor & Scambor, 2008) However, at least an initial awareness of the issue of men in gender equality can be seen as a result of discussing and implementing strategies like gender mainstreaming. Some countries additionally support the integration of institutionalised practices of men's active involvement in gender equality structures in strategies.…”

Anxiety experiences of male psychotherapists: A hermeneutic phenomenological study

“…For the purpose of this study, it has therefore been necessary to look at masculinity by drawing from the related field of sociology. This direction is supported by a number of authors proposing that in order to understand male anxiety, sociological influences need to be considered (Böhnisch, 2003; Graske, 2003; O'Neil, 1981; Scambor & Scambor, 2008).…”