The Unspoken Reality of Male Disadvantage
For decades, the notion of male privilege has been a cornerstone of sociological and feminist discourse. The idea that men, by virtue of their gender, enjoy a range of unearned advantages and benefits has been widely accepted and perpetuated. However, a closer examination of the data and research reveals a more nuanced and complex reality. In fact, the evidence suggests that men may not have it as good as we are led to believe.
One of the most significant areas of disparity is in the realm of domestic abuse. Contrary to the popular narrative that men are the primary perpetrators of domestic violence, research by Drs. Murray Straus, Suzanne Steinmetz, and Richard Gelles has shown that the ratio of male-to-female violence is actually 1:1. Their study, which surveyed 2,142 individuals, found that 12% of husbands were violent towards their wives, while 12% of wives were violent towards their husbands. Furthermore, the research revealed that women were more likely to engage in certain forms of violent behaviour, such as throwing things (5 times vs. 3 times) and kicking or hitting with a fist (5 times vs. 3 times).
However, these findings are often obscured by the fact that men are far less likely to report incidents of domestic abuse due to feelings of embarrassment and shame. Police records, which only reflect the incidence of complaints, therefore present a skewed picture of the reality of domestic violence. As Randy Collins, a criminal defense lawyer, notes in his report, female-on-male abuse is probably more common than male-on-female abuse.
What’s more, evidence suggests that when a male victim of domestic violence committed by a female perpetrator phones the police for help, due to the systemic biases involved, when the police arrive he’s more likely to be arrested than the female perpetrator of the abuse, which indicates a high level of disparity in treatment and an unacceptable level of unfairness.
Beyond the realm of domestic violence, men also face a range of other disadvantages. For example, a study of the 15 leading causes of death between men and women revealed a ratio of 1:1.1 to 9.1, with men being more likely to die from a range of causes. Men are also more likely to work in dangerous jobs, such as mining, deep sea diving, and labouring, which puts them at greater risk of injury or death. Additionally, men have historically been conscripted and sent to wars, often against their will, which has resulted in countless deaths and trauma.
Historically, men from non-upper-class backgrounds did not have the same rights and privileges as their wealthier counterparts. In the UK, for example, non-landowning men did not have the right to vote, highlighting the fact that privilege is not solely determined by gender. Furthermore, men have typically worked longer hours and died earlier than women, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of traditional masculine roles.
The media also plays a significant role in perpetuating the myth of male privilege. News reports of tragedies often downplay the number of male deaths, using phrases such as “20 people died, including 12 women and children” to minimise the loss of male life. This kind of language devalues the lives of men and reinforces the notion that male deaths are less significant than female deaths.
In conclusion, the idea of male privilege is a myth that does not reflect the complexity of reality. While men may enjoy certain advantages in some areas, they also face a range of unique challenges and disadvantages. It is time to move beyond simplistic and outdated notions of privilege and to recognise the diversity of human experience. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all individuals, regardless of gender.
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Recommended reading: The Myth of Male Power, by Warren Farrell.
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