on being a man...

I am away with my ordination training at the moment, which is fun...not. I've met a fellow blogger Nigel Wright - it's always fascinating to meet people whom you have previously connected with via the blogosphere.

We've been exploring a variety of subjects based around human relationships and I've been struck by the lack of resources that are engaging holistically with masculine spirituality. I'm aware of things like men's breakfasts, dads and lads weekends etc. but to be honest I'm still to be convinced by any of these approaches. Partly, because I have a suspicion that they perpetuate the problem of gender identity being based on that which divides rather than that which unites.

However, i think that there is also a crisis in masculinity - you only need to look at the levels of male suicide to see that that there is something very wrong. Patriarchy was oppressive and destructive, but when do we stop seeking forgiving for our gender and move on to work on the process of reconciliation? Reconciliation is about working together for the common good, and unfortunately i think that too much is still based on the differences rather than the unity.

Technorati Tags: Ben Edson, masculinity, puppy, theology

Comments

[Jo]

I agree on the masculine crisis stuff. I have researched this a little for my previous MA work. Part of this was to look at masculininty as represented in Oscar winning movies. (This was a theological assignment!!!!)

The theory of this is that Hollywood presents contemporary issues. Hence 1999 award went to American Beauty - the crisis of suburban man. Followed by Gladiator in 2000 - hyper masculinity at its best (including skirts and loincloths - read that as you will).

This can also be noted in the micro level too - Heath Ledger and Jake Gylenhall starred in Brokeback Mountain, and then followed this with Casanova and Jarhead respectively.

A futher note on this in the UK is metrosexuality as personnified by the star of 'Strictly Come Dancing', Darren Gough. The ability to dance, wear lycra and to still be a stong, Yorkshire bred, cricketer.

[Paul Fromont]

Interesting Ben. Thanks. It's a subjected I've blogged and written about a little bit.

Jo, thanks for your comment; I hadn't really considered masculinity through the lens of movies. I tried e-mailing you. Any chance you could send me a copy of your MA if you see this? I'm in the process of pulling together a presentation on masculine spirituality for a hroup of trainee spiritual directors; the movie insight would be a useful way into the discussion.

Cheers Ben.

Pax
Paul
http://prodigal.typepad.com

[steve]

ben,
i've found phil culberston's book, the new adam, very helpful. draws on phyllis trible's texts of terror but applies them to men. i've used it to frame up processes to get men listening to each other on stuff other than sport, and also in some worship settings dealing with masculinity.

steve

[Joanne]

Sorry - have been travelling across the US. My email (coded due to spam bots, but please feel free to decode) is: joanne dot cox at dur dot ac dot uk

I would love to share more about masculinity in cinema etc.

[Skoll]

Patriarchy is too often confused with industrialism or simply used as a scapegoat by people who don’t really understand what it is or take the time to find out. A closer look at pre and post industrial societies are needed as well as patriarchal difference in cultures before it’s ubiquitously demonized.
I am highly suspect of men who use feminist theory to critique patriarchy, the masculine, and so-called men’s movements, who through accusations of hyper-masculinity, misogyny, insensitivity etc. would ultimately do us the same gender flipping discourtesy feminism visited upon its victims. As such one should educate themselves on potential authors of study.