Masculinity and Morality

What does it mean to be a morally responsible man? Psychology and the law have offered reasons to excuse men for acting aggressively. In this collection of essays, the author argues against standard accounts of traditional male behaviour, discussing male anger, paternity, pornography, rape, sexual harrassment, the exclusion of women and what he terms the myth of "uncontrollable" male sexuality. While refuting the platitudes of the popular men's movement, the book seeks to challenge men to reassess and change behaviour which has had detrimental effects on the lives of women and of men. In May's view, the key to solving many problems is to understand how individual actions may combine to produce large-scale, harmful consequences. May is eager to reconceptualize male roles in ways which build on men's strengths rather than rendering them androgynous. Each chapter suggests strategies to effect changes based on May's views on the nature of moral responsibility. Examining separatism and the socialization of youth in athletics and the military, specifically at Virginia Military Institute and the Citadel, May analyzes the moral implications of the way all-male environments are constructed. Rejecting the standard arguments for them, he speculates about the positive ways they might be used to transform the socialization of young men.

About the Author :

Larry May is Professor of Philosophy at Washington University, St. Louis. He is also the author of Crimes Against Humanity: A Normative Account and coeditor of Morality of War.

May's points are well-argued, at times original, and always stimulating reading. Graduate courses on ethics and responsibility would do well to incorporate chapters from this book in their readings. And those character educators who haven't yet seen how feminism could apply to 'them' and their courses, would do well to read through these arguments. The book is one of the first books in the 'men and masculinity' literature to make feminism and feminist issues the heart of the book. This is a good work.

May... addresses several gender-related issues from a 'group-oriented' point of view.... He contends that men need to alter their behavior toward women, rejecting the position that innate qualities or badgering compel them to behave as they do.... He provides a well-articulated account of a distinctive stance on major issues.

This book represents May's latest ideas in his ongoing project to 'rethink' masculinity... His book is rich in insights and deservers to be widely read for its intelligent discussions of central aspects of sexist oppression in Western society. It is an admirable contribution to realizing Marx's dictum that the point of philosophy is to change the world, not merely interpret it.