Men. We all know one. Maybe you are one. Men’s behavior seem to be under the magnifying glass for a while now. Women not only participate in higher education more than men, they also complete their studies more often successfully and faster. Men are more often in the news as an aggressor, criminal, tax evader, shady politician or as a fossil industry corporate. The social norm for masculinity seems to be under great pressure.
But what if this has less to do with male gender than with the roles that men are assigned? Just as women suffer from stereotypes, so do men. Stereotypical images of masculinity are often confirmed and expected from those around them.
Is our idea of masculinity in urgent need of renewal? And what could that look like?
And how relevant is this topic within different VU communities? We pose this question to FAM, VU Pride, NEWConnective and our rector Jeroen Geurts.
October 5th we discuss masculinity in the 3D space, the VU's debate and dialogue center. You are very welcome to join this exploratory conversation about masculinity and the quest for a broader cultural change that is needed to break stereotypes.