[edit: I thank everyone for their comments and time. A lot of very interesting opinions and view points. Unfortunately also a lot of things that went away from the actual answer. So I’m thinking maybe this thread can be closed without deleting it?]

The more I hear people talk about it who aren’t cis-het men, the more I hear criticism about the concept. But so far, I’ve only heard people say that it’s stupid, that it’s not a thing, that it’s men’s own fault etc. But I’ve yet to understand where that criticism comes from. I don’t want to start a discussion on whether or not it’s real or not. I just want to understand where the critics are coming from.

  • chilicheeselies@lemmy.world
    277·
    7 months ago

    I think its pretty hypocritical for anyone who isnt a male to have an opinion on the validity of an experience they cant possibly have unless they transitioned.

    Its like me having an opinion on have a period.

    • subtleorbit@sh.itjust.works
      83·
      7 months ago

      I’ll disagree a little here.

      My wife’s had surgeries from men that know waaaaaay more about her period than she does.

      That being said, they went to school for a decade and have another decade of experience learning specifically about a topic. They aren’t just some random business student that dropped out 2 weeks into semester one and writes their theses via comments.

      Small but important caveat. Otherwise 100% agreed. I have no ideas on periods because I’m not a woman or a Dr.

      • tree_frog_and_rain@lemmy.world
        21·
        7 months ago

        Yeah I also disagreed, I’ve read some very compassionate takes on men’s situation written by academic feminists.

        Bell hooks the will to change for example. Women can be experts on gender, and how systems of domination effect everyone. Men included.

    • tree_frog_and_rain@lemmy.world
      31·
      7 months ago

      On the other hand, belle hooks’, The Will to Change, is one of the most compassionate and understanding takes on the subject.

      So she has an opinion on the validity of the experience, and it is that capitalism and patriarchy is alienating for men, just like it is for others. Especially working class men.

      Nurturing Our Humanity, co-written by a female author, uses system science and primatology to validate what men experience in domination based societies.

      I know your point was more long the lines of critics shouldn’t criticize things that they don’t understand, but there are a lot of feminists that do understand and have an informed opinion, because they study how these systems of domination affect everyone, not just women.