5. Explaining Sustainable Masculinities
• Sustainable masculinities are male norms, beliefs
and behaviors which promote peace at individual, community
and global levels.
• Violence will diminish as the old dominator paradigm
is replaced by a partnership model
which gives women and men equal input.
• “In the partnership model, male identity is
not equated with domination and conquest--be it of women,
other men, other nations, or nature.” (Eisler)
• In the partnership model all humans are
seen as worthy and conflicts are considered opportunities
to heal and reconcile. These new male norms will help us meet
conflicts and embrace co-operation as a solution.
• The new male norms following the partnership model
will adopt a sustainable relationship with the environment.
• Since sustainable masculinity involves partnership,
it requires extensive gender education backed by the necessary
motivation to create social change using skills such as emotional
competence, compassionate listening, positive- ethical- communication,
non-violent conflict resolution and pro-activity. (see next
section, #6)
• The new norms will arise from a level of moral
development not yet reached by the majority of males and
includes genuine interest in the welfare of all humans. This
occurs as males move from conformity to current male norms
to a deeper level of morality arising within the individual.
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