Why Gender Equality Is Good for Everyone — Men Included | Michael Kimmel | TED Talks

Summary

In this powerful talk, the speaker, a self-identified middle-class white man, recounts his journey to understanding gender equality's relevance to men. Initially involved in a feminist theory study group, he experienced an eye-opening conversation about privilege and the invisibility it holds for those who possess it. He highlights the importance of making gender visible to men and challenges the misconception that gender equality is only about women. Through anecdotes and research, he argues that gender equality benefits not just women but also men, improving relationships, family dynamics, and overall happiness. He concludes that gender equality is a win-win for everyone, including men's health and happiness.

Takeaways

• 🙌 The speaker is a middle-class white man advocating for gender equality and emphasizing that men have a crucial role to play in this movement.
• 🔍 The concept of privilege is explored, highlighting that those with privilege often do not recognize it because it is 'invisible' to them, including the speaker's own realization of his privilege.
• 👥 A pivotal moment in the speaker's life was a conversation between two women, one white and one black, which made him understand the different experiences and perspectives of women based on race and privilege.
• 👔 The speaker humorously critiques the notion of 'objectivity' as traditionally male, using the metaphor of a tie to represent the embodiment of disembodied Western rationality.
• 💡 Making gender visible to men is the first step towards engaging them in supporting gender equality, according to the speaker's experience and insights.
• 🤔 Men's initial reactions to gender equality vary from agreement and understanding to resistance and a sense of entitlement, which the speaker discusses through personal anecdotes and media experiences.
• 🌍 The speaker argues that gender equality benefits not just women but also men, as it leads to happier and more successful societies, as evidenced by various studies.
• 🏢 Companies that are more gender-equal tend to have happier employees, lower turnover rates, and higher productivity, which is in the best interest of business.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Men who share housework and childcare experience multiple benefits, including healthier and happier children, more satisfied and healthier partners, and improved personal health and well-being.
• 💏 Sharing housework and childcare also leads to increased sexual satisfaction within relationships, a point humorously highlighted by the speaker referencing a Men's Health magazine cover.
• 🌈 The speaker concludes that gender equality is a win-win for everyone involved, including men, their children, and their partners, and is necessary for the empowerment of women and girls.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the speaker's speech?

The speaker aims to recruit men to support gender equality and to challenge the misconception that gender equality is only about women.

How does the speaker describe his personal journey to understanding gender equality?

The speaker describes his journey as a middle-class white man who became aware of his own privilege and the importance of gender equality through a transformative conversation in a feminist theory study group.

What is the significance of the interaction between the white woman and the black woman in the study group?

The interaction highlights the concept of privilege, showing that privilege is often invisible to those who have it, and it made the speaker realize that issues of race, class, and gender are also about him.

What does the speaker mean by 'disembodied Western rationality'?

The speaker uses this term to describe the perceived objectivity that comes from a male perspective, which is often accepted without question, whereas a female perspective is seen as biased.

Why does the speaker believe that making gender visible to men is the first step to engaging them in supporting gender equality?

The speaker believes that by making gender visible to men, they can better understand the systemic inequalities that exist and the role they play in perpetuating them, thus becoming more likely to support change.

What does the speaker refer to as 'premature self-congratulation'?

'Premature self-congratulation' refers to the phenomenon where some men, upon first hearing about gender equality, immediately congratulate themselves for already being supportive, without truly understanding or addressing the underlying issues.

How does the speaker address the resistance to gender equality by some men?

The speaker addresses this by pointing out that some men see gender equality as detrimental to their interests and may feel a sense of entitlement, which needs to be confronted in order to understand their resistance.

What evidence does the speaker provide to show that gender equality is beneficial for countries?

The speaker cites studies showing that countries with higher levels of gender equality also score higher on happiness scales, suggesting a correlation between gender equality and overall well-being.

How does the speaker argue that gender equality is in the interest of men as well?

The speaker argues that gender equality aligns with the desires of men for better relationships, healthier families, and more balanced lives, and that it can lead to improved health, happiness, and productivity.

What is the significance of the 'riddle' the speaker mentions about the father and son in the car accident?

The riddle serves to illustrate a shift in societal norms and expectations, as the younger generation immediately understands the possibility of the child having two fathers, reflecting a more inclusive and egalitarian mindset.

What is the speaker's final message about the relationship between gender equality and men's lives?

The speaker's final message is that gender equality is not a zero-sum game but a win-win situation that benefits everyone involved, including men, their children, and their partners, and that men need to be engaged in the pursuit of gender equality.