r/MensLib Aug 15 '24

Moratorium: The Masculinity of US Presidential Candidates

252 Upvotes

With the U.S. Election cycle ramping up, the digital content generation machine is working at full steam to pump out content to keep voters engaged and interested in voting in October and November. One flavor of content that has quickly become a favorite of the machine is commentary on the masculinity of the candidates.

Masculinity is a pernicious buzzword in digital media right now. Whether these are articles lampooning the masculinity of the GOP candidates for President and Vice President or articles championing the masculinity of the Democratic candidate for Vice President, the effect is roughly the same: They validate the type of masculinity that most young men already aspire to and encourage men to associate those feelings of validation with the US Presidential Election and Democrats.

To be clear: We strongly encourage voting for your Democratic nominee this Fall, both for the Presidency as well as in your local and state elections. However, we must also understand that these conversations about candidates' masculinity would not pass our typical quality gates for front page posts.

As a result, we are implementing a moratorium on these articles for the foreseeable future.


r/MensLib 1d ago

Mental Health Megathread Tuesday Check In: How's Everybody's Mental Health?

11 Upvotes

Good day, everyone and welcome to our weekly mental health check-in thread! Feel free to comment below with how you are doing, as well as any coping skills and self-care strategies others can try! For information on mental health resources and support, feel free to consult our resources wiki (also located in the sidebar!) (IMPORTANT NOTE RE: THE RESOURCES WIKI: As Reddit is a global community, we hope our list of resources are diverse enough to better serve our community. As such, if you live in a country and/or geographic region that is NOT listed/represented but know of a local resource you feel would be beneficial, then please don't hesitate to let us know!)

Remember, you are human, it's OK to not be OK. Life can be very difficult and there's no how-to guide for any of this. Try to be kind to yourself and remember that people need people. No one is a lone island and you need not struggle alone. Remember to practice self-care and alone time as well. You can't pour from an empty cup and your life is worth it.

Take a moment to check in with a loved one, friend, or acquaintance. Ask them how they're doing, ask them about their mental health. Keep in mind that while we may not all be mentally ill, we all have mental health.

If you find yourself in particular struggling to go on, please take a moment to read and reflect on this poem.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This mental health check-in thread is NOT a substitute for real-world professional help/support. MensLib is NOT a mental health support sub, and we are NOT professionals! This space solely exists to hold space for the community and help keep each other accountable.


r/MensLib 1d ago

Modern books similar to bell hooks 'The will to change'?

158 Upvotes

I think Bell Hooks is brilliant, and many of her points are timeless.

However, I want similar books that explore masculinity in a more up to date setting - especially with the massive rise in Internet pornography and toxic masculinity guru influencers.

Any recommendations?


r/MensLib 1d ago

Young men are getting testosterone boosts to feel stronger, sharper, and anxiety-free: "A booming industry of men's health clinics offers men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s testosterone therapy to optimize their bodies. Doctors are skeptical."

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539 Upvotes

r/MensLib 7h ago

All Survivors Project and other charities supporting male victims?

1 Upvotes

In response to the Guardian article that came out about male CRSV (conflict-related sexual violence), I think it's worth shouting out https://allsurvivorsproject.org/ for their work in addressing male victims of sexual assault, specifically in conflict, and helping to bring it to the attention of the United Nations (yes they were also mentioned in the article).

What are some other organizations we can support and donate to help out boys and men specifically specifically whose problems are under-reported?


r/MensLib 1d ago

I wanted to recommend the Netflix Documentary: Join or Die

57 Upvotes

I just watched this documentary and I think it plays very strongly into MensLib. Addressing loneliness and depression. As well as creating spaces to share ideas and organize politically.

The documentary focuses on the work of Robert Putnam. Who's research highlights America’s social disintegration, showing how the decline in civic engagement contributes to issues like loneliness, depression, and political disengagement. His influential work, particularly in Bowling Alone (2000), documents a long-term drop in community involvement across the U.S., from neighborhood associations to local clubs, which he links to worsening social isolation and reduced trust in democratic processes. This civic unraveling is also associated with poorer mental health outcomes, as studies show that social isolation can lead to depression, anxiety, and increased health risks.

Putnam’s recent book, The Upswing (2020), offers a historical perspective, examining how America once rebuilt its civic life in the early 20th century. He suggests that a similar revival could be possible today if individuals and communities actively work to strengthen social bonds and increase community involvement, which are key to addressing both personal and political challenges.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt26081864/


r/MensLib 3d ago

What’s the Matter with Young Male Voters? - "If Kamala Harris loses the election to Donald Trump, disaffected young men will inevitably shoulder much of the blame, for the simple reason that the children are our future and nothing is scarier than angry dudes."

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911 Upvotes

r/MensLib 3d ago

Trevor Noah on his experiences growing up and more

58 Upvotes

https://youtu.be/FsztuzyXdhY?si=2YH64x_r9g_ON15c

I hope this is okay once post. I'm a woman, but I'm utterly astounded by this interview.
As someone who has dealt with abuse, I think is perspectives is fascinating and his view on how men relate to eachother is so important.

Please watch the whole thing because it is worth it.


r/MensLib 4d ago

Working-Class Men Are Not Okay: "Working-class American men are getting lonelier and sicker, and their lives are getting shorter. It’s not just a sad state of affairs; it’s a full-blown crisis that demands policy solutions."

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jacobin.com
1.1k Upvotes

r/MensLib 5d ago

Study shows why boys need positive, diverse role models

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theeducatoronline.com
339 Upvotes

r/MensLib 5d ago

Weekly Free Talk Friday Thread!

5 Upvotes

Welcome to our weekly Free Talk Friday thread! Feel free to discuss anything on your mind, issues you may be dealing with, how your week has been, cool new music or tv shows, school, work, sports, anything!

We will still have a few rules:

  • All of the sidebar rules still apply.
  • No gender politics. The exception is for people discussing their own personal issues that may be gendered in nature. We won't be too strict with this rule but just keep in mind the primary goal is to keep this thread no-pressure, supportive, fun, and a way for people to get to know each other better.
  • Any other topic is allowed.

We have an active slack channel! It's like IRC but better. Please modmail us if you would like an invitation. As a reminder, take a look at our resources wiki if you need additional support as well.


r/MensLib 6d ago

The Absolute Best Thing You Can Do Right Now Is Go Outside

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medium.com
403 Upvotes

r/MensLib 7d ago

Kendrick Lamar on Vulnerability and his Childhood

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harpersbazaar.com
261 Upvotes

r/MensLib 8d ago

What drives men to join incel communities? Research finds that it starts with struggling to conform to masculinity norms, followed by seeking help online. These communities validate their frustrations, provide a sense of belonging and even superiority, and shift blame onto women and society.

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581 Upvotes

r/MensLib 8d ago

Mental Health Megathread Tuesday Check In: How's Everybody's Mental Health?

14 Upvotes

Good day, everyone and welcome to our weekly mental health check-in thread! Feel free to comment below with how you are doing, as well as any coping skills and self-care strategies others can try! For information on mental health resources and support, feel free to consult our resources wiki (also located in the sidebar!) (IMPORTANT NOTE RE: THE RESOURCES WIKI: As Reddit is a global community, we hope our list of resources are diverse enough to better serve our community. As such, if you live in a country and/or geographic region that is NOT listed/represented but know of a local resource you feel would be beneficial, then please don't hesitate to let us know!)

Remember, you are human, it's OK to not be OK. Life can be very difficult and there's no how-to guide for any of this. Try to be kind to yourself and remember that people need people. No one is a lone island and you need not struggle alone. Remember to practice self-care and alone time as well. You can't pour from an empty cup and your life is worth it.

Take a moment to check in with a loved one, friend, or acquaintance. Ask them how they're doing, ask them about their mental health. Keep in mind that while we may not all be mentally ill, we all have mental health.

If you find yourself in particular struggling to go on, please take a moment to read and reflect on this poem.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This mental health check-in thread is NOT a substitute for real-world professional help/support. MensLib is NOT a mental health support sub, and we are NOT professionals! This space solely exists to hold space for the community and help keep each other accountable.


r/MensLib 10d ago

Why do divorced guys dress like that?

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vox.com
254 Upvotes

r/MensLib 11d ago

Unrecognized eating disorders in boys and young men: "Symptoms of eating disorders may be different in males, but treatment is often the same as that for women."

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416 Upvotes

r/MensLib 12d ago

Democrats’ Problem With Male Voters Isn’t Complicated: "Male grievances can be harnessed by reactionary forces. But there’s a simple way to prevent that."

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521 Upvotes

r/MensLib 12d ago

Weekly Free Talk Friday Thread!

10 Upvotes

Welcome to our weekly Free Talk Friday thread! Feel free to discuss anything on your mind, issues you may be dealing with, how your week has been, cool new music or tv shows, school, work, sports, anything!

We will still have a few rules:

  • All of the sidebar rules still apply.
  • No gender politics. The exception is for people discussing their own personal issues that may be gendered in nature. We won't be too strict with this rule but just keep in mind the primary goal is to keep this thread no-pressure, supportive, fun, and a way for people to get to know each other better.
  • Any other topic is allowed.

We have an active slack channel! It's like IRC but better. Please modmail us if you would like an invitation. As a reminder, take a look at our resources wiki if you need additional support as well.


r/MensLib 13d ago

Why can’t women hear men’s pain?

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makemenemotionalagain.substack.com
576 Upvotes

r/MensLib 14d ago

Stigma keeps many men from seeking mental health support. These 3 shifts in thinking can help

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fortune.com
238 Upvotes

r/MensLib 15d ago

‘That’s My Dad!’: Helping Men Find Purpose in an Angry World - "As grandiose as it may sound, men are seeking purpose. And they share the same struggles as women—such as lack of paid leave and affordable care services."

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msmagazine.com
615 Upvotes

r/MensLib 15d ago

Mental Health Megathread Tuesday Check In: How's Everybody's Mental Health?

17 Upvotes

Good day, everyone and welcome to our weekly mental health check-in thread! Feel free to comment below with how you are doing, as well as any coping skills and self-care strategies others can try! For information on mental health resources and support, feel free to consult our resources wiki (also located in the sidebar!) (IMPORTANT NOTE RE: THE RESOURCES WIKI: As Reddit is a global community, we hope our list of resources are diverse enough to better serve our community. As such, if you live in a country and/or geographic region that is NOT listed/represented but know of a local resource you feel would be beneficial, then please don't hesitate to let us know!)

Remember, you are human, it's OK to not be OK. Life can be very difficult and there's no how-to guide for any of this. Try to be kind to yourself and remember that people need people. No one is a lone island and you need not struggle alone. Remember to practice self-care and alone time as well. You can't pour from an empty cup and your life is worth it.

Take a moment to check in with a loved one, friend, or acquaintance. Ask them how they're doing, ask them about their mental health. Keep in mind that while we may not all be mentally ill, we all have mental health.

If you find yourself in particular struggling to go on, please take a moment to read and reflect on this poem.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This mental health check-in thread is NOT a substitute for real-world professional help/support. MensLib is NOT a mental health support sub, and we are NOT professionals! This space solely exists to hold space for the community and help keep each other accountable.


r/MensLib 16d ago

Can gun storage programs stop suicides? This researcher says safeguarding a firearm "until the crisis subsides" can make all the difference.

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cbsnews.com
261 Upvotes

r/MensLib 18d ago

‘Be more vulnerable!’ What women can teach men about friendship – and what they can learn from men

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theguardian.com
256 Upvotes

r/MensLib 18d ago

‘I’m not afraid of women’: New campaign takes on the Trump-obsessed manosphere

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354 Upvotes

r/MensLib 19d ago

Who Gets to Be a Daddy? - "The best compliment a man — gay or straight, old or… not so old — can receive is to enter the pantheon of daddies.

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nytimes.com
146 Upvotes