Dear Editor,
At times it appears there is a double standard regarding how societies put in place measures concerning the observation and celebration of manhood and masculinity. Men are socialized to be rough and tough. Interestingly, this gendered socialization is perpetuated by many women in the societies given that so many of our families are female-headed households. Men who championed men’s rights are oftentimes viewed with suspicion; however, the same microscope is not applied to women who championed women’s rights. In fact there are very few organizations which are dedicated to the empowerment of our men and boys. The structure of most education systems are skewed towards female achievement while on the other hand our boys continue to struggle in an over feminized education system. This double standard surrounding gender issues is quite problematic and must be remedied with a renewed sense of urgency.
International Men’s Day 2024 is a global observance that celebrates the positive contributions and achievements of men while addressing important issues affecting men’s health, well-being, and gender equality. International Men’s Day provides an opportunity to promote discussions and actions that support men’s physical and mental health, encourage positive role models, and advocate for a more inclusive society. This counterculture that pushes back regarding the celebration of International Men’s Day is problematic. We must be mindful that not all men benefit from patriarchy. Masculinity has numerous strands and some men are also oppressed by the system of patriarchy especially those who are not seen as belonging to the rigid and hyper masculine label that frequently is attached to masculinity.
International Men’s Day started in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. The day was created by Dr. Jerome Tulucksingh to commemorate his father’s birthday. Since then International Men’s Day is celebrated in over 80 countries with the aim of highlighting: the social issues faced by men both mentally and physically, the role of men as active parents. Additionally, the day is set aside to highlight men as positive agents of change in society; role modeling inclusive behaviours as well as seeing the different identities of men through the lens of intersectionality.
Historically, men have not always paid much attention to their health and well-being. In fact, those men who have done so have been viewed as lesser than men and ridiculed. Men are required to adhere to this strict definition of manhood and masculinity and those who do not ascribe to this are oftentimes labeled as deviants. It is therefore refreshing and welcoming to see the progress that International Men’s Day has made over the years despite the attack of the counterculture that continues to question why such a day. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The WHO adds the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.
The extension to all peoples of the benefits of medical, psychological and related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health. The WHO concludes that informed opinion and active co-operation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people. Men should indeed champion their health as well as support and encourage other men along this journey. It is only when men are healthy that our families and communities will be healthy. Improving men and boys’ health is one of the six key objectives of International Men’s Day on Tuesday 19 November, and the “Men’s Health Champions” theme responds to this commitment.
The construction of Caribbean masculinity is rooted to a large extent in the horrific period of enslavement. During slavery, the black men were viewed as inferior. Those enslaved men who were thought of as being strong and powerful were the first to be auctioned off. It is evidently clear that from around the 16th century a systemic and structured scheme was enforced to categorize black men. The black man was not allowed to show his emotions. Regrettably, this categorization of the male species lives on centuries later. We must then ask the question: how do we move the dial from where we currently are as men to where we desire to be? The time is now to interrogate notions of masculinities as we embrace being champions of our health.
Masculinities – Boys are often told not to cry, and men are told to “man up” and “take it like a man” when dealing with the pressures and stresses of life. These unrealistic and outdated notions of masculinity force many men into a corner where they struggle with their emotional vulnerabilities. These harsh descriptions of one’s masculinity can often be internalized and misconstrued as blemishes on one’s manhood. The society needs to move away from such skewed interpretations of masculinity. Disturbingly, boys who display school smarts are often ridiculed as effeminate by peers and even adults in areas where academic excellence by males is typically devalued. On this International Men’s Day, let us work harder for a gentler society rooted in a spirit of togetherness, while acknowledging the existence of multiple masculinities. The time is now for men to recommit and pledge their support in the campaign to improve men’s physical and mental health.
Sincerely,
Wayne Campbell