Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Voice Male show[s] a way for men to live that is centered not on their masculinity, but on their humanity...many of the authors...such as Jane Fonda, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Eve Ensler will be widely recognized. Chapters run the gamut of issues related to men's identity, some of them dealing directly with men's relationships with women or support of the women's movement, while others address health, recovery from abuse, fatherhood, race, and GBTQ matters. Individual articles are generally strong, and vary from quite general discussions of men's responsibility to stop violence against women, to very specific anecdotes. By uniting these diverse topics into a single work, Okun shows that the stereotypical tough, uncaring masculine ideal is unhealthy for society. Readers interested in gender issues will appreciate the strength of the individual articles and the book's powerful message."
Publishers Weekly
Review
"A very worthwhile introduction to the profeminist movement among men. It will reward both casual readers and serious students of the subject."
Library Journal
Description
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
VOICE MALE: The Untold Story of the Profeminist Men's Movement takes you inside one of the most important social justice movements you may never have heard of — the social transformation of masculinity. Although it's been underway since the late 1970s, it still largely remains under the radar of much of society.
Thematically arranged essays by leading experts and moving first-person stories illustrate how a growing movement of changing men has discovered in feminism the basis for redefining masculinity and creating healthier lives.
The longtime editor of Voice Male magazine, Rob Okun, introduces readers to men examining contemporary manhood from a variety of perspectives — from boys on the journey to manhood to men overcoming violence; from fatherhood and mentoring to navigating life as a man of color; as a gay man, and as a survivor. The voices of a chorus of women can also be heard in these pages.
Long recognized for articulating a hopeful vision of the future of men, Okun sensitively presents a vivid portrait sure to be accessible to a wide audience interested in what is happening with men. His many years as a gender justice activist have not just deepened his skill as a chronicler of the profeminist men's movement but also helped to strengthen his voice as a spokesperson articulating men's second act. Voice Male offers compelling evidence of a new direction for men and illuminates what's around the bend on the path to gender justice.
About the Author
Rob A. Okun is a widely published writer addressing issues related to men and masculinity. Editor of Voice Male magazine, he is former executive director of the Men's Resource Center for Change, one of the oldest men's centers in the U.S. A member of the board of the New England Center for Women in Transition, he maintains a psychotherapy practice in Amherst, Massachusetts.