International Men's Day 2020

“A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality”. - John F. Kennedy. Not much emphasis and planning is given to men in most societies regarding safe spaces for men where men can go and discuss their problems. There is the tendency to narrowly define and interrogate gender solely as it relates to women’s issues. In some countries there are no support systems in place to address and intervene where necessary, concerning the needs and concerns of boys and men. This lack of a holistic approach to gender affairs is problematic. The lingering effect of this policy undoubtedly will have, and in fact does have implications for women as well. In most societies the over-arching ideology of patriarchy is alive and well. It can be argued that those who make policies place all men in the same category, that of male privilege. This one size fits all approach to gender relations is skewed. The truth is not all men benefit from patriarchy on the same level. Notwithstanding the false and misguided notion of what a real man is; it is conforming to society’s idea of what a man should be results in the label of toxic masculinity. The society’s lack of action in addressing the needs of boys has resulted in recurrent issues, such as the underperformance of boys in the education system across all tiers. The Jamaican society like many other societies continues to grapple with the under-representation of males in the education system, yet not much is being done to address the problem. Unfortunately, too many of our males continue to slip through the cracks in the education system. State sanctioned paternity leave would be an important indicator that the State values men and their contribution to family and development. We need to move beyond discussion to implementing the necessary legislation in order to usher in this new and progressive era. Men do have parenting rights and yes; some men do suffer domestic abuse. There are some local companies which have made this bold move and we tip our hats to them. On November 19 the international community commemorates International Men’s Day (IMD). IMD is set aside to celebrate the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. The day highlights positive male role models and raise awareness of men’s well-being. Matters such as dealing with health issues affecting males, improving the relations between genders, highlighting the importance of male role models and promoting gender equality are topics which are of concern to the organizers of International Men’s Day. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), male life expectancy at birth in 2015 was 69 years and for females it was 75 years. Additionally, the WHO states that the suicide rate for men is three times that of women. Suicide in men has been described as a silent epidemic and regrettably is a major contributor to men’s mortality. In Jamaica, the high rate of prostate cancer among the male population is problematic. The issue of male health is a public health concern and as such ought to be given the necessary attention and resources to effect change. Coronavirus deaths are disproportionate when it comes to one’s sex; more men die from COVID-19 than women. One research found that since men have more ACE2 receptors than women. The novel coronavirus binds to ACE2 receptors to infect cells. According to Deutsche Welle (DW), the ACE2 receptor might play an important role because it serves as a kind of gateway for the diseases COVID-19, SARS and MERS, which are all caused by coronaviruses. Unquestionably, the resources needed and the support services required are not invested in male health care resulting in many preventable diseases going untreated in men. International Men’s Day is observed in more than 70 countries. International Men’s Day was re-launched on November 19, 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago. The event in Trinidad and Tobago was created and coordinated by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh of the University of the West Indies. The aim of International Men’s Day is to celebrate positive male role models and to raise awareness of men’s issues. These include topics such as mental health, toxic masculinity and the prevalence of male suicide. The objectives of international Men’s Day include a focus on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models. International Men’s Day is an occasion whereby men can highlight discrimination against them and celebrate their positive achievements and contributions to communities, places of work, friendships, families, marriages, and child care. Benefits of Positive Male Role Models As the society continues to evolve we must acknowledge and celebrate the good men who serve as positive role models. A society which does not appreciate and highlight positive male role models runs the risk of retreating into a state of chaos, embedded in a sea of toxic masculinity which inevitably will erode good family life. The society however needs to widen the discourse surrounding men’s issues. At times the conversation regarding men’s issue seems too academic; tucked away in a privileged space. The dialogue must involve the narratives of more men; from the man who wipes the car windscreen at the intersection, to the university professor, from the farmer in the rural area, to the male who lives in the inner-city. There must be a realization that multiple masculinities exist and that the input of a cross section of males is critical in order for the State to create policies, programmes and plans necessary to address issues affecting men. Research has shown that having a positive male role model has a profound impact on the lives of children. Children need role models in order for them to emulate and develop acceptable behavior traits. Studies prove that children without positive male role models are more likely to be involved in criminal activity, premarital sexual activity and are poor performers in school. Peer pressure is real and ever present and life is more challenging without having a positive role model to emulate. We all need someone to talk with and knowing that a positive role model is available makes life less burdensome. Our boys in particular require positive male role models in order for them to excel in their academic pursuits. As males, let us celebrate International Men’s Day in a paradigm of collective masculinity, while acknowledging the existence of multiple masculinities. Let us continue to play a positive role in our families, communities in nation building and development. In the words of Edwin Louis Cole being a male is a matter of birth. Being a man is a matter of choice. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #IMD