‘Masculinity Crisis’ is Reflected as ‘Violence’ against Women

Concepts such as “masculinity crisis”, “decline of masculinity”, “loss of masculinity” have been much-discussed all around the world in recent years. It is possible to regard the headline “Today is the Day of Destroying Masculinity” of Yenisöz newspaper on 8th March as the apex of ongoing arguments. We interviewed Professor Fatmagül Berktay about the social dimensions of ‘masculinity crisis’ and its impact on women.

Concepts such as “masculinity crisis”, “decline of masculinity”, “loss of masculinity” have been much-discussed all around the world in recent years. It is possible to regard the headline “Today is the Day of Destroying Masculinity” of Yenisöz newspaper on 8th March as the apex of ongoing arguments. We interviewed Professor Fatmagül Berktay about the social dimensions of ‘masculinity crisis’ and its impact on women.

This 8th March was celebrated more in a festive way, what are your evaluations on that?

I have to say this first: 8th March is a day of struggle, not a day of giving flowers or buying presents. We have to see the hypocrisy behind all those advertisements while women are exploited everywhere and working conditions are not improved at all. On the other hand, it is nice that 8th March demonstrations have expanded. Although there is a “magazinish” side to it, it is also important in the sense that it gives more visibility to the issue. Women gathered without taking any notice of the weather conditions and shouted altogether: “We exist and we want life!” This is very important.

Why does this crisis have increased during the recent years?

Women achieved very important things in the last 30 years and they are more empowered. This is the full side of the glass. However, this fact made men think they are losing the power; there is a decline of masculinity. Today, there is a certain kind of regression in the society. This regression can lead to trimming the rights women have achieved so far. Women’s rights are the most fragile rights, so we shouldn’t think that vested rights cannot be withdrawn.

What does “masculinity crisis” stand for in our daily lives, especially for women?

It stands for increased male violence among the society. And, it is shown as the most rightful, most legitimate thing. Violence is seen all over the world, it is true. However, it gets worse and worse in Turkey. Some think it is due to the increasing conservatism or Islam or it is purely a perversion. I think, these are not the real problems. Our society has a very strong patriarchal ground. When men think they are losing this patriarchal ground, they tend to show more violence. What actually changed today is men’s presenting their violence as the most ordinary thing in the world.

“Educated but unemployed”- this image seems to gain importance both among women and the society. It is also pursued as a policy. How do you evaluate its being slowly indigenized, especially by women?

Imposing family ideology weakens women’s rights and their autonomous beings. I am not denying women’s power in the family as a mother. However, women are individual human beings and they have their own rights. We must definitely make it accepted.

Some people think men’s studies can be “the solution”. Do you agree with that idea?

Men’s studies are important but it also can lead egocentrism. Of course, it is not a “women’s problem”, it is more a “men’s problem”, but the solution is not castrating men. We have to see the relation of masculinity with patriarchy, neoliberal power and masculine state. It is important for men to realise “masculinity crisis” and understand that feminist struggle means to oppose authoritativeness, militarism and it is a part of democracy struggle. We have to ally with as many people as we can.