OPINIONS / Are men the victims now?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.DAVID SINCLAIR, composer: The idea that men are victims is laughable, since it's obvious that the world is still run by horrible men in grey suits. They play at the power game and the game they play is very much a man's game.
JOE WHY, musician: I was raised in Barbados, America and Toronto and I've been in all kinds of environments, and I don't see men as victims at all. I think men are just trying to find an easy way out from the problems they are having in relationships. British society is slightly different. Most men here are misogynists.
DAVID FREEMANTLE, management consultant: I was taught that life is what you make it. I don't intend to make it the "victim" class.
MARGARET POPPER, investment banker: I think men are the victims of an upbringing that tells them they can't have emotions. The most heinous thing that is done to them is being told, as young children, that they cannot cry. That is the source of much emotional twisting carried into adult life.
LILY SAVAGE, performer: Of course men aren't victims. Men don't like what's happening, so they've started to whinge, as men tend to do when the going gets tough. I think the men's movement will last about five minutes, because half the members will say that they can't come to the group because the rugby's on or that their wife hasn't washed their shirt.
BRIGID BAILLIE, education consultant: When anything goes wrong with equal opportunities, it's the poor white male who becomes the victim. Statistically this is not borne out. When you are in a high-ranking position and see yourself potentially threatened, you tend to pull up the drawbridge and go on the attack. This is what men are doing.
MARCELLE d'ARGY SMITH, editor of Cosmopolitan: Most men are truly beloved of their mothers with an unconditional love, but as they grow up they meet us women, who fall in love with them romantically but won't do everything for them any more. So they have to fend for themselves, and end up feeling rather unloved.
ELISABETH BROOKE, herbalist: I feel sorry for men. I think they live fairly two-dimensional lives. Whereas women can get more of what they want, men are boxed in by society's expectations of them and are more frightened.
TED POLHEMUS, anthropologist: I think the experience of victimisation is common to many men. There are so many approaches to feminism that as a man, it's very difficult to gauge. Look at the way feminists are battling one another. At the heart of it all lies the fact that women don't seem to know what they want. Women are so confused and men become the victims.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments