About the show: Dave Pickering takes us on a personal journey through gender as he tries to explain masculinity both to you and to himself. Part true storytelling, part TED talk and part apology, the show looks at how the patriarchy hurts men too; how the patriarchy has hurt him, and how he has hurt people because of patriarchy. Drawing on an anonymous survey of 1000 men, feminist theory, internet memes and his life experience, Dave will explain the conclusions he Read More ...
Introduction to the survey I don’t think this survey is representative of all men. To a certain extent, it’s a survey of feminist-leaning men. The initial respondents came generally from that POV, and as the survey grew, it was mostly shared by feminists. That said, it does represent many other viewpoints. For example, there were a few hundred in a row where it was mostly being filled in by Men’s Rights Activists. But whatever their starting point, the men filling in the survey had Read More ...
Does patriarchy exist?
Yes
How would you define patriarchy?
A systematic societal bias towards valuation of masculine characteristics.
How has patriarchy hurt you?
Societal expectation that ‘men don’t talk about feelings’ contributed to short term mental health issues that could have been dealt with much easier by talking openly. There is a widespread expectation that men are incompetent in the domestic sphere, and particularly that fathers are not as competent as mothers and are always a ‘secondary’ or ‘substitute’ parent. If there were no patriarchy, it would be socially acceptable for men to talk about feelings openly and be able to take an active role in parenthood with society’s acceptance.
How have you hurt people in a way influenced by patriachy?
Respondent skipped question
How would you define masculinity?
Masculinity is a broad set of characteristics, that can apply to men and women, chiefly associated with dominance, tendency to take action and lead, courage, not displaying emotion, aggression, prioritisation career over family, using material wealth as social status.
Does misandry exist?
Yes
Have you experienced gender and/or sex related prejudice?
Maybe
The prejudice takes the form of an expectation of ‘masculine behaviour’ and an assumption of lack of parental competence, lack of empathy and an assumption of sexual aggression.
What best describes you?
A feminist