Feminist Optimism from a Former Gatekeeper

Written before gender transition, Raewyn Connells Change Among the Gatekeepers: Men,
Masculinities, and Gender Equality in the Global Arena details the then-current state of the
involvement of men in global gender equality reform. This analysis will examine Connells optimistic
view for the future of their involvement, as well as a possible reason for it.
After some history and pointing out that women first placed gender equality on political agendas,
Connell introduces the papers main concept, the necessary (or at least inevitable) involvement of men
in, and their consequent role as gatekeepers of, gender equality reform. A discussion of the social
construction of masculinity leads to Connells presentation of the global nature of the issue, from
international debates on mens role in gender equality, to a theoretical discussion of how colonialism
has (and still does) spread patriarchy, with the colonists gender order replacing the colonized societys
gender order (a major source of violent conflict). Here again we see the impact on the lives of women,
as the colonizers goods replace the homemade goods from which women formerly derived income.
Connell next discusses how the exclusive focus on women in gender equality led to the crystallization of
anti-feminist politics. As a more measured response, debates on gender equality began to include
parallel provisions for boys and men, which Connell describes as diluting the focus on reforms benefiting
women. Additionally, Connell quotes White (2000) regarding how bringing men in to the debate could
completely undermine gender equality.
As the reaction to womens rights continued to morph into gender equality, the debates evolved into
statements of involvement and co-responsibility in the process of achieving gender equality. Further,
Connell points out that while the top one-percent of white males have a lot to lose to gender equality,
the advantages of patriarchy are not evenly distributed among men. Working-class men should see that

unravelling the patriarchy is in their interests, too. Here, Connells tone become optimistic even before
arriving at the section dedicated to it, as we get a short history of mens support for equality. Before
ending the section, we get a brief note of pessimism in a description of men and boys continued and
institutionalized resistance to gender equality.
Connell next outlines quite a few reasons for optimism. Youth today arent locked into hegemonic
masculinity, the global village provides a diversity of masculinities from which to choose or to build on.
Many men have embraced gender-role redefinitions, embracing housework and caregiving. Hope for
men and boys relations with girls and women (who presumably desire gender equality) will help
shape/reshape their thinking. After a few additional reasons, Connell closes with mention of those men
driven to support gender equality out of principle.
In the section on reasons for pessimism, Connell opens with more optimism, in describing mens
movements that support gender equality. As an example of the potential effectiveness of a mens
movement for gender equality, Connell offers the gay mens liberation movement. Next up is a brief
mention of anti-feminist backlash movements, before we get to the institutionalized nature of the
problem: neoliberalism (or neoconservatism as its called here in the U.S.). Whether deliberate or not,
the economic agenda of neoliberalism disproportionately disadvantages women world-wide. This is
patriarchys strongest pillar.
Connell concludes with strong support for mens inclusion in achieving gender equality. I found this
sufficiently unusual in feminist discourse that I at first assumed the writer must be male. However, a
quick check of Connells online biography showed that to have been true at the time of research and
writing, but no longer. The revelation that Raewyn Connell is now a woman dispelled that out-of-place
feeling. Like myself, most of the transgender women I know best are also feminists. I believe having
lived in a male social role for such an extended period produces unique insights into masculinity (and

the converse would be true for trans mens insights into femininity), and presents an excellent platform
for ethnographic research. My chosen title for this paper wasnt meant to be taken seriously, as Raewyn
and I share patriarchical complicity only by accident of birth (I dont think of either of us as having ever
been gatekeepers; perhaps we were, though). And I am surprised that accident of birth* doesnt lead us
all to be feminists.

Summary & Conclusion

Change Among the Gatekeepers provided a refreshing and optimistic look at how mens involvement
in gender equality has and continues to assist in the movement to end womens oppression. Happily,
colonialism can spread gender reform, just like it spread patriarchy.

Just a figure of speech. We all know this is the result of unique/variant early socialization.