Marlo Thomas Guys Who Get It: The Men Of The Women's Movement

Feminism is almost always associated with females. Even the prefix, fem-, points towards women, and as a result, men are scarcely ever referred to when it comes to feminism. However uncommon it may be, men have played a large role in how feminism and its culture have shaped the world we live in today. One such example of that is the article by Marlo Thomas named “Guys Who Get It: The Men of the Women’s Movement.” In this article, she says, “"We have done almost everything in pairs since Noah,” and she expands on how men are an integral part to the cause and that to move forward, it is necessary for men and women to move together (Thomas). Men are needed in the feminist mission because often a differing view of a man is needed to relate to the

That being said, women sometimes try to cram things down men’s throats and expect them to see all the wonders of what it may be like to be a feminist. Sadly, that is not the case. You need another man’s point of view in order to appeal to the masses of other men, because guys like listening to other guys. One such example is of David Benzaquen. He, a political and legislative coordinator for NARAL Pro-Choice New York, stated that although he would prefer if his value to an organization were dependent on his professional skill, that is just not the case. The ugly truth is that there are some people who are more likely to listen to those whom they resemble,” he said (Strauss). This means that even though Benzaquen is completely qualified in his field, the fact that he is a man can determine his adequacy for a speaking position. One explanation for this may be the way that the brain itself works and how men and women have differing listening

Women try to argue for their rights and fail to acknowledge the pain of the opposite sex. In the past it has, for the most part, been focused on women, but times have changed and in the world today the feminist movement is one of males and females. Marlo Thomas says, “It also takes a practical man to understand that the world cannot move forward using only half of its resources” (Thomas). This means that even though men are more inclusive, they cannot do all the work themselves. In the article “What is a Man’s Role in the Feminist Movement?” Ariel Chesler states that, “Male feminists should never attempt to silence women’s voices” so that men’s power does not get abused, because who started this movement in the first place? (Chesler) However, in the pursuit of equality men must support women as best they can, even if that means “listening or amplifying women’s voices”