The Male Privilege Checklist

In an earlier post I discussed how men can approach and participate in feminism. One of the first things men need to do is become aware of male privilege. Thankfully Barry Deutsch has created a informative and simple Male Privilege Checklist inspired by Peggy McIntosh's previous work dealing with white privilege. If you are a man, this is required reading. For example:

4. If I fail in my job or career, I can feel sure this won’t be seen as a black mark against my entire sex’s capabilities.

11. If I have children and provide primary care for them, I’ll be praised for extraordinary parenting if I’m even marginally competent.

31. I can ask for legal protection from violence that happens mostly to men without being seen as a selfish special interest, since that kind of violence is called “crime” and is a general social concern. (Violence that happens mostly to women is usually called “domestic violence” or “acquaintance rape,” and is seen as a special interest issue.)

If you can get through that whole list without admitting there is such thing as male privilege, something is wrong.

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