The Importance of Discussing Masculinity in Gender Sensitization

When we talk about gender sensitization, the spotlight often falls on women’s rights, women’s empowerment, and the challenges women face. That makes sense – centuries of systemic discrimination demand attention. But here’s something that often gets missed: you cannot fully address gender inequality without examining masculinity. The expectations, pressures, and stereotypes placed on men are not just a “men’s issue.” They shape how entire societies treat women, define power, and perpetuate violence. So why exactly should we talk about masculinity? Let’s break it down.

What do we mean by masculinity? 🔗

Masculinity, at its core, refers to the set of attributes, behaviours, and roles that a society associates with being a man. These are not biologically fixed traits. They are socially constructed – meaning they are taught, reinforced, and passed down through families, schools, media, and peer groups. What it means to “be a man” in rural Rajasthan may look different from what it means in urban Bengaluru, yet certain common threads run through most cultures: emotional restraint, physical toughness, financial responsibility, dominance, and authority.

This socially constructed version of manhood is often referred to as hegemonic masculinity – a term popularised by sociologist R.W. Connell. It describes the dominant form of masculinity in any given society, one that positions men as superior to women and marginalises men who do not conform to its standards. Not every man benefits equally from this system, but it sets the benchmark against which all men are measured.

Why masculinity matters in gender sensitization 🔗

Gender sensitization programmes have historically focused on empowering women and raising awareness about discrimination against them. While this remains vital, a growing body of scholarship argues that leaving men and masculinity out of the conversation is a significant gap.

Gender is relational, not one-sided 🔗

Gender does not operate in isolation. The way masculinity is defined directly affects how femininity is perceived – and vice versa. If boys are taught that “real men don’t cry,” they learn to suppress vulnerability. If they are told that providing for a family is their primary duty, they may resist a partner’s financial independence. These attitudes do not just limit men; they actively constrain women’s choices and freedoms. Addressing gender discrimination, therefore, requires working on both sides of the equation.

Kamala Bhasin’s perspective on men and patriarchy 🔗

Prominent gender activist and author Kamala Bhasin has been one of the most vocal advocates for including men in the gender conversation. Her central argument is straightforward: patriarchy does not only oppress women – it also damages men. The patriarchal system demands that men serve as protectors, providers, and figures of authority at all times. Men who fail to meet these expectations – whether due to unemployment, emotional sensitivity, or physical disability – are ridiculed, shamed, and excluded.

Bhasin emphasised that men are not merely perpetrators of gender discrimination; many are also its victims. A man who loses his job may face intense social stigma because his worth has been tied to his earning capacity. A boy who prefers dance or art over cricket may be bullied for not being “manly enough.” These pressures are real, and they stem from the same patriarchal structure that oppresses women. Unless we acknowledge this, gender sensitization efforts will remain incomplete.

How rigid masculinity harms men 🔗

The idea that masculinity can harm the very people it supposedly empowers might sound counterintuitive. But evidence consistently shows that rigid gender norms take a serious toll on men’s physical and mental health.

Mental health and emotional suppression 🔗

Men in India are significantly less likely to seek help for mental health issues. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, suicide rates among men remain considerably higher than among women, yet mental health services see far fewer male patients. One major reason is the stigma attached to vulnerability. Admitting to anxiety, depression, or emotional distress is seen as a sign of weakness – a direct contradiction to what “masculinity” supposedly demands.

This emotional suppression does not just hurt men individually. It often manifests as anger, aggression, substance abuse, and domestic violence. When men are denied healthy emotional outlets, the consequences ripple outward to families and communities.

Violence as a masculine norm 🔗

There is a well-documented link between rigid masculinity and violence. Studies by organisations like the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) have found that men who subscribe to more traditional notions of masculinity are significantly more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence. The logic is chilling but simple: if manhood is equated with control and dominance, then any perceived challenge to that control – whether from a partner, a colleague, or a stranger – can trigger a violent response.

Violence against women, then, is not just a “women’s problem” to be solved by teaching women self-defence or giving them helpline numbers. It is fundamentally a masculinity problem that requires reimagining what it means to be a man.

Socio-economic changes demand a new conversation 🔗

India’s socio-economic landscape has transformed dramatically over the past few decades. More women are entering the workforce, pursuing higher education, and asserting their right to equality in public and private spheres. These changes, while positive, have also created friction – particularly in households and communities where traditional gender roles were deeply entrenched.

The crisis of the “provider” identity 🔗

For generations, a man’s social standing was closely tied to his role as the family’s primary breadwinner. As women gain economic independence, this identity is being challenged. Research published by Economic and Political Weekly has explored how male unemployment or lower earning capacity relative to a female partner can lead to feelings of inadequacy, resentment, and, in some cases, increased domestic conflict. This is not because women earning more is inherently problematic – it is because the masculine identity was never designed to accommodate equality.

If we want men to genuinely support gender equality rather than perceive it as a threat, we must help them build identities that are not dependent on dominance or economic superiority. This is precisely why masculinity needs to be part of gender sensitization.

Women’s movements and the call for male allies 🔗

The women’s movement itself has increasingly recognised that sustainable change requires male participation. Campaigns like UN Women’s HeForShe explicitly invite men to become allies in the fight for gender equality. The underlying message is clear: gender equality is not a zero-sum game. When rigid masculinity is dismantled, everyone benefits – men included.

In the Indian context, initiatives by organisations like MenEngage Alliance have worked to involve men in discussions about domestic violence, sexual harassment, and caregiving responsibilities. These programmes show that when men are given the space and language to critically examine their own gender conditioning, meaningful behavioural change follows.

Redefining masculinity: what does it look like? 🔗

Talking about masculinity is not about blaming men or dismissing their experiences. It is about expanding the definition of manhood so that it no longer depends on control, emotional denial, or superiority over women. Redefining masculinity means recognising that strength can coexist with vulnerability, that caregiving is as valuable as providing, and that a man’s worth is not measured by his ability to dominate others.

Positive masculinity in practice 🔗

Several frameworks have emerged around the concept of positive masculinity – models of manhood that embrace empathy, accountability, and partnership. In practical terms, this looks like:

• Shared caregiving: Men actively participating in childcare and household work, not as “helping out” but as equal partners.
• Emotional literacy: Boys and men learning to identify, express, and manage emotions without shame.
• Accountability for violence: Shifting the focus from “teaching women to be safe” to teaching men to respect boundaries and consent.
• Supporting women’s autonomy: Celebrating – rather than feeling threatened by – a partner’s professional success or independence.

These are not abstract ideals. Programmes run in schools and communities across states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand have demonstrated that boys and men respond positively when they are given tools to question rigid norms rather than simply being told they are the problem.

The role of education and policy 🔗

Education plays a critical role in reshaping masculinity. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has taken steps in recent years to introduce gender-sensitive content in school textbooks, including discussions about stereotypes and the social construction of gender. However, much more needs to be done – particularly in teacher training, where educators themselves may hold deeply ingrained biases about gender roles.

At the policy level, initiatives like paternity leave provisions and male involvement in government health programmes (such as the National Health Mission’s focus on engaging men in maternal health) are small but important signals that the state recognises the need to redefine men’s roles in society.

Why silence on masculinity hurts everyone 🔗

When masculinity goes unexamined, it operates as an invisible force – shaping behaviour, expectations, and power dynamics without anyone questioning it. Men continue to suffer in silence under the weight of impossible expectations. Women continue to bear the brunt of aggression and control rooted in insecure masculinities. And the cycle repeats across generations.

The cost of this silence is measurable. It shows up in domestic violence statistics, in the gender pay gap, in the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work on women, and in the alarming rates of male suicide. Talking about masculinity is not a distraction from gender equality – it is a necessary condition for achieving it.

Gender sensitization, at its best, is not about pitting men against women. It is about understanding how a patriarchal system harms everyone – and working together to dismantle it. That work is impossible if half the population is left out of the conversation.

What do you think? 🔗

Do you believe current gender sensitization efforts in educational institutions and workplaces do enough to address masculinity and its impact on both men and women? And in your own experience, what would it take for men to feel comfortable questioning the version of manhood they were taught?

References

1. https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/I8X7k2TLEJwH8uL75aBJwJ/Kamla-Bhasin–I-believe-in-the-politics-of-love.html
2. https://main.mohfw.gov.in/
3. https://www.icrw.org/
4. https://www.epw.in/
5. https://www.heforshe.org/
6. https://www.menengagebangalore.org/
7. https://ncert.nic.in/
8. https://nhm.gov.in/