Feminist Perspectives on Teaching Masculinities

Book excerpt: Feminist Perspectives on Teaching Masculinities looks at teaching non-hegemonic forms of masculinities and highlights their diversity. The collection foregrounds and discusses concepts which are described and gathered as positive, caring, and inclusive masculinities, thus offering a timely and much-needed counterpoint to discussions of so-called toxic masculinity. The volume presents a wide range of theoretical reflections, case studies, and teaching resources for lecturers in higher education and practitioners in the fields of gender studies, pedagogy, and education. Its heterogeneity is based on an interdisciplinary approach, methodological variety, cross-cultural spectrum, and empirical richness, reflected in various contributions from Europe, Africa, US, and Asia. The international scope of the book and its transnational perspective is valuable in broadening perspectives on teaching masculinities. The presentation and discussion of national and local programs and campaigns promoting teaching practices on masculinities and gender provide further valuable insights into learning beyond stereotypes and realizing new concepts of masculinities. By presenting alternative performances of masculinities and fostering masculinities studies which are oriented towards gender equality and/or going beyond gender norms, Feminist Perspectives on Teaching Masculinities offers a strong response to the backlashes against feminism and gender studies from rising nationalism coupled with hegemonic masculinities.