International Men’s Day takes place annually on the 19th of November, and aims to bring attention to the issues experienced by men. However, this day has faced much online backlash from those who believe it is unnecessary or even harmful to the fight for gender equality. In a patriarchal world, where women are disproportionately the victims of domestic abuse, and where a gender pay gap still exists, why should we be celebrating the people who seem to benefit from this system?
While that may be one view, many others advocate for the importance of raising awareness for issues experienced by men, such as poor mental health. According to public health Scotland, 75% of the deaths by suicide in 2021 were of men. In recent years, organisations such as Andy’s Man Club have been set up in order to encourage men to talk about their mental health, and to seek help when they need it. While they may not face the same forms of oppression that women do, it can’t be denied that men do suffer at the hands of gendered stereotypes, which seem to have been a contributing factor to the shocking and disproportionately high suicide statistics.
International Men’s Day began to be celebrated globally throughout the 1990s, however advocation for the existence of this day began much earlier. Every year, a different focus is chosen, with this year’s being “positive male role models”. The organisation draws on a quote from Gandhi – “we must become the change we seek” – demonstrating a commitment to break free from a cycle of toxic masculinity, and escape harmful gendered stereotypes. The day occurs during the fundraising and awareness campaign “Movember” – where men grow moustaches during November to raise awareness for men’s mental health. It also takes place the day before International Children’s Day, which the organisers say “forms 48 hours of celebration for men and children, and the special relationship they share”.
The University of Edinburgh ran a stall in the nucleus to mark International Men’s Day, and have released a supporting document with information and resources to support men’s mental health. They claim it was “an informal opportunity to discuss current challenges in male health with peers, members of the Student Wellbeing Service and representatives from Andy’s Man Club”.
However, International Men’s Day is not always positively received. After interviewing two female students, both were of the opinion that it did not seem necessary for men to have a day, since we live in a patriarchal society and “every day is men’s day”. However, a male student disagrees, and believes that the opinion that the entire world is built to support men is an inherently “damaging viewpoint”, as it erases struggles that men do face. He believes that this day could ultimately do more harm than good, as it causes division and fosters animosity due to its constant comparison with International Women’s Day.
One student believes that “it feels like men just want a day because women have one”, which seems to encapsulate the competition that arises between these two occasions. By constantly being viewed in comparison to each other, this takes away from the key messages of each respective day, and reduces either’s ability to be a positive and constructive experience. Whether you believe that International Men’s Day is justified or not, it can’t be denied that raising awareness for men’s mental health in this way has had truly positive effects. For example, men are now three times more likely to see a therapist if they are worried than they were in 2009.
Men and women’s struggles are not mutually exclusive, and it is not necessary to put one gender down in order to celebrate another. International Men’s Day deserves its own space, and has its own goals specific to the struggles of men – whether those struggles are comparable to those of women or not. On the 8th of March, we will talk about the oppression that women face, and how society is inherently structured to disadvantage them. But on the 19th of November, we focus on men and how harmful gender stereotypes have hurt them too, and how we can advocate for a world that does not discriminate or cause harm on the grounds of gender.
If you feel that you are in need of help, the following resources can provide support:
MANUP? | MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY – Men’s mental health charity which provides free therapy sessions;
Andy’s Man Club | #ITSOKAYTOTALK | Andy’s Man Club – Suicide prevention charity offering support groups;
Men’s Minds Matter | Men’s Mental Health & Suicide Charity – Men’s suicide prevention charity;
Home – Mind – General mental health support charity;
The University of Edinburgh also provide a variety of support resources available on their website.
Photo by Nathan McDine on Unsplash.