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October 31, 2024 • 1hr 21min
#858 - George TheTinMen - Why Aren’t Men’s Issues Being Taken Seriously?
Modern Wisdom
George from TheTinMen is a content creator and men's advocate focused on evidence-based discussion of issues affecting men and boys. This conversation explores why it's so challenging to advocate for men's issues, the current state of men's advocacy organizations, and various pressing concerns affecting men's wellbeing that often go unaddressed.
#858 - George TheTinMen - Why Aren’t Men’s Issues Being Taken Seriously?
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Key Takeaways
- Current state of men's advocacy is fragmented and faces challenges due to being inherently unpopular and uncomfortable
- Movember, while well-funded, is criticized for:
- Sitting on large amounts of money (~£35M) while other men's organizations are severely underfunded
- Having trustees not based in countries they serve
- Taking politically safe stances rather than addressing controversial but important issues
- Male victims of abuse represent 1 in 3 victims in the UK and up to 1 in 2 in the US, yet receive minimal support and funding
- Bullying has severe long-term impacts on boys' mental health and development of "violent fantasies" as coping mechanisms
- Men's health advocacy needs to address systemic societal causes beyond just physical health metrics
Introduction
George from TheTinMen is a content creator and men's advocate focused on evidence-based discussion of issues affecting men and boys. This conversation explores why it's so challenging to advocate for men's issues, the current state of men's advocacy organizations, and various pressing concerns affecting men's wellbeing that often go unaddressed.
Topics Discussed
Current State of Men's Advocacy (05:29)
The men's advocacy movement is reaching a critical mass but becoming increasingly fragmented. George notes that certain large organizations are becoming too entwined in politics and losing sight of their primary mission to help men and save men's lives.
- The movement is at a stage where it's "too big to be small, but too small to be big"
- Requires making sacrifices and doing things that won't get much credit but are necessary
- Needs about 13% public adoption to reach "viral" status and mass market acceptance
Movember's Role and Criticism (08:13)
George discusses Movember's position as one of the largest and most powerful men's health NGOs globally, while highlighting several concerns about their approach and effectiveness.
- Financial concerns:
- Sitting on approximately £35 million in cash reserves
- Limited distribution to grassroots organizations
- No trustees based in countries they serve (UK/Europe)
- Strategic concerns:
- Focus on "safe" issues rather than controversial but important topics
- Alignment with certain political frameworks that may not serve men's interests
- Limited engagement with actual men's issues on social media
Male Victims of Abuse (12:36)
The discussion delves into the often-overlooked issue of male victims of domestic abuse and violence.
- Statistics vary by country:
- UK: 1 in 3 victims are male
- US: 1 in 2 victims are male
- Australia: 1 in 4 victims are male
- Lack of support infrastructure:
- Very few shelters for male victims
- Limited funding and resources
- Classification issues (male victims sometimes classified under "violence against women")
The Role of Political Correctness in Advocacy (20:21)
George discusses the challenge of having to "kiss the ring" of existing gender-related frameworks and stereotypes to maintain legitimacy in advocacy.
- Need to preface men's issues with acknowledgment of women's issues
- Risk of alienating authentic advocates by requiring political compromises
- Challenge of maintaining integrity while gaining institutional acceptance
Bullying and Long-term Effects (1:10:50)
The conversation explores the significant impact of bullying on boys' development and mental health.
- 97% of severely bullied boys develop violent fantasies later in life
- These fantasies are coping mechanisms rather than signs of "toxic masculinity"
- Need for earlier intervention rather than focusing on adult behavior modification
- Schools need to be held accountable for allowing institutional abuse through bullying
Future of Men's Advocacy (1:21:13)
George outlines his vision for the future of men's advocacy and necessary changes.
- Need for collaboration between different advocacy groups
- Red lines that won't be crossed:
- Won't treat domestic violence through exclusively feminist frameworks
- Won't distribute funds under feminist-only frameworks
- Won't support organizations that don't support a Minister for Men
- Focus on actual solutions rather than political posturing
Conclusion
The conversation highlights the complex challenges facing men's advocacy, from organizational politics to funding issues and the struggle to address controversial but important topics. While organizations like Movember have significant resources, there's a disconnect between their approach and the immediate needs of men and boys. The future of effective men's advocacy requires both courage to address uncomfortable topics and collaboration between various stakeholders, while maintaining focus on evidence-based solutions rather than political convenience.