Millennials and Generation Z: Men's Perspectives on Hashtag Feminism

Abstract

As the U.S. experiences widespread critical examination on gender and patriarchy, it is important for family therapists to learn how men perceive their masculinity amidst this critical discourse. In contemporary politics, feminist activism is largely conducted through social media and hashtag activism and is often called "hashtag feminism." The feminist hashtags #MeToo, #HeForShe, and #HowIWillChange are well-known symbols of the modern feminist movement. Despite the large role that men and masculinity play in the construction of patriarchy, there is currently little research on how hashtag feminism influences men's perceptions of their own role in gender politics. This interpretive phenomenological study explored how Millennial and Generation Z men perceive the hashtag feminist movement. It also aimed to capture how these men experienced and perceived their masculinity as it related to contemporary gender politics. We conducted interviews with 12 social media-using Millennial and Generation Z men about their experiences of masculinity and hashtag feminism. We found that men's views on hashtag feminism and gender inequality were contradictory and overlapping, changing in response to different contexts. Additionally, findings indicated that participants did not see hashtag feminism as representative of the feminist movement as a whole. Results suggested that features of online activist discourse deterred men from engaging in hashtag feminism. Lastly, results suggested that Millennial and Generation Z men want cultural norms of masculinity to change to integrate the pro-social aspects of traditional masculinity with non-traditional qualities of empathy, emotionality, relationality, and vulnerability. Study discussion reviews clinical implications and research recommendations.