Overview

Explores questions of masculinity, privilege, and identity to explain why some men become feminists while others become men’s rights activists In the evolving landscape of gender activism in the United States, it is intriguing that four-in-ten American men now identify as feminists. Despite this seemingly positive shift, gender inequality remains deeply rooted in the US. Good Guys, Bad Guys delves into this paradox, unraveling the complexities of men’s feminist allyship and its limitations in propelling genuine progress. Emily K. Carian masterfully dissects the narratives of two distinct groups of gender activists: feminist men and men who belong to the men's rights movement, which opposes feminism. By engaging directly with the men themselves, Carian constructs a compelling analysis of their journeys into these contrasting social movements. Surprisingly, Carian finds that both feminist men and men’s rights activists share a common motivation for their engagement in gender activism: the desire to be perceived as “good men.” However, this well-intentioned yet superficial drive hinders feminist men from envisioning concrete and effective strategies to challenge gender inequality. Conversely, it fuels men’s rights activists’ participation in a movement that fosters a virulent misogyny. Good Guys, Bad Guys exposes how even self-proclaimed feminist men inadvertently perpetuate gender inequality through their attitudes, behaviors, and relationships. As society navigates the complexities of gender activism, this book serves as a valuable resource in guiding the path towards a truly equal and inclusive future.

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9781479821013

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Emily Carian intelligently explores the differences between feminist men and men’s rights activists regarding their conception of gender inequality/equality. And with keen insight Carian uniquely extends the analysis by examining their similarity in terms of 'privilege renegotiation strategies,' whereby both groups of men practice distinct yet morally inflexible masculine identities. Engaging, original, and theoretically incisive, Good Guys, Bad Guys moves the discussion of men’s relationship with gender activism to a new level of sophistication. I highly recommend it. * James W. Messerschmidt, author of Hegemonic Masculinity: Formulation, Reformulation, and Amplification *

Good Guys, Bad Guys is a landmark text on U.S. men’s gender politics. Through in-depth interviews with feminist men and men’s rights activists, Emily K. Carian helps us understand why gender inequality is so pernicious and persistent—it is inscribed onto our identities and shapes the ways we define ourselves and our gender politics. * Tristan Bridges, co-author of Exploring Masculinities: Identity, Inequality, Continuity, and Change * Engaging, original, and theoretically incisive, Good Guys, Bad Guys moves the discussion of men’s relationship with gender activism to a new level of sophistication. I highly recommend it. * James W. Messerschmidt, author of Hegemonic Masculinity: Formulation, Reformulation, and Amplification * Feminists: don’t pass on this book. While giving voice to the privileged might seem at odds with feminist sensibilities, Carian’s insightful study of feminist men and men’s rights activists takes a fresh look at the old adage to ‘know thy enemy.’ It turns out that the ‘good’ guys are actually bad (or at least limited), and the ‘bad’ guys are actually trying to be good. An analysis of these guys’ views is maddening at times but useful nonetheless: harnessing men’s desires to be ‘good’ just might bring a few of them in as true partners for gender equality. * Rachel Einwohner, co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of U.S. Women's Social Movement Activism * Good Guys, Bad Guys provides a detailed and thoughtful account of why and how men become gender activists. Carian’s interviews with male feminists and men’s rights activists demonstrate that they have much more in common than we might think. Despite being divided by what they believe, both want to be seen as good. Anyone interested in how we might encourage men to show up more effectively for feminism should read this book. * Adrienne Massanari, author of Gaming Democracy: How Silicon Valley Leveled Up the Far-Right *

Emily Carian intelligently explores the differences between feminist men and men’s rights activists regarding their conception of gender inequality/equality. And with keen insight Carian uniquely extends the analysis by examining their similarity in terms of 'privilege renegotiation strategies,' whereby both groups of men practice distinct yet morally inflexible masculine identities. Engaging, original, and theoretically incisive, Good Guys, Bad Guys moves the discussion of men’s relationship with gender activism to a new level of sophistication. I highly recommend it. * James W. Messerschmidt, author of Hegemonic Masculinity: Formulation, Reformulation, and Amplification * Good Guys, Bad Guys is a landmark text on U.S. men’s gender politics. Through in-depth interviews with feminist men and men’s rights activists, Carian finds strategies across the gender-political divide examining how they engage with, understand, and seek to “renegotiate” privilege. She shows that the identity work in which these men are engaged comes with consequences that are sometimes at odds with some of their professed politics. Good Guys, Bad Guys helps us understand why gender inequality is so pernicious and persistent—it is inscribed onto our identities and shapes the ways we define ourselves and our gender politics. * Tristian Bridges, co-author of Exploring Masculinities: Identity, Inequality, Continuity, and Change *

"""Emily Carian intelligently explores the differences between feminist men and men’s rights activists regarding their conception of gender inequality/equality. And with keen insight Carian uniquely extends the analysis by examining their similarity in terms of 'privilege renegotiation strategies,' whereby both groups of men practice distinct yet morally inflexible masculine identities. Engaging, original, and theoretically incisive, Good Guys, Bad Guys moves the discussion of men’s relationship with gender activism to a new level of sophistication. I highly recommend it."" * James W. Messerschmidt, author of Hegemonic Masculinity: Formulation, Reformulation, and Amplification * ""Good Guys, Bad Guys is a landmark text on U.S. men’s gender politics. Through in-depth interviews with feminist men and men’s rights activists, Carian finds strategies across the gender-political divide examining how they engage with, understand, and seek to “renegotiate” privilege. She shows that the identity work in which these men are engaged comes with consequences that are sometimes at odds with some of their professed politics. Good Guys, Bad Guys helps us understand why gender inequality is so pernicious and persistent—it is inscribed onto our identities and shapes the ways we define ourselves and our gender politics."" * Tristian Bridges, co-author of Exploring Masculinities: Identity, Inequality, Continuity, and Change *"

Author Information

Emily K. Carian is Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Irvine. She is co-editor of Male Supremacism in the United States: From Patriarchal Traditionalism to Misogynist Incels and the Alt-Right.

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