Thank you for this. I can't tell you how frustrating it is, having done nothing but work for 40 years to support the women in my family (wife, daughter) and protect them with my life, and work alongside literally dozens and dozens of other men who have done the exact same thing their whole lives, to then face comments in the general populace about how women feel safer with bears than with men.
It makes me want to offer to drive women to a forest and leave them there, if truth be known.
Josh, thank you. Thank you for being a voice for the overwhelming majority of Australian men that aren’t violent to men or women. For the overwhelming majority of Australian men that would and do call out the casual sexism, that cross the road to make women feel safer, that raise their son and daughter the same.
The outpouring of emotion on this topic is understandable but it does not make broad gendered blame acceptable. Your voice is appreciated and sorely needed.
I agree that singling out men to "do better" is unhelpful. As a middle age white woman living in a safe / comfortable world I don't think I am doing much to help either. I have sons who of course I am trying to raise to be "good men" but my husband is sharing this responsibility equally with me.
Good on Josh for calling out this myth about how there’s some closed-door fraternity of men who brag about mistreating women in some way. It’s such a bizarre delusion; protective instinct towards women is the bedrock of masculinity. The very finite slice of men who actually do harass or assault women would never bring it up around other men. Depending on the circumstances, any hint of “misogyny” raised in an all-male context would result in consequences for the speaker ranging from social exclusion to being beaten to death.
I’m with Josh in that I have not personally checked in at every private gathering of men that’s ever occurred, but this whole thing is a myth as far as I’m concerned.
Why did I listen to this? Sure it’s your job to be rational - but pure reason with no emotion is clinical and dangerous. This episode didn’t need to exist.
I definitely recommend you get fellow Aussie Bettina Arndt on your show, and definitely Canadian Janice Fiamengo., to discuss this particular issue and men's issues in today's culture more broadly.
Josh, it would be good to have links to some of the statistics in notes for episodes like this. I shared some of the statistics here with friends and they flat out didn’t believe me. I have had a quick look on bureau of stats website but have not found the comparison of intimate partner violence across relationship types. Would be helpful to have sources listed where appropriate.
Josh you are no doubt a beautiful, big hearted man. You are impressively smart and articulate. And I wish that your articulate, well executed argument were true. If only changing the way that we think and talk about violence against women allowed us to feel safe in the world. It's our experience that informs the narrative. It is a shock to many women the first time the reality of male violence becomes our reality. I appreciate your efforts to stand up for men and trying to get them on board.
Thank you for this. I can't tell you how frustrating it is, having done nothing but work for 40 years to support the women in my family (wife, daughter) and protect them with my life, and work alongside literally dozens and dozens of other men who have done the exact same thing their whole lives, to then face comments in the general populace about how women feel safer with bears than with men.
It makes me want to offer to drive women to a forest and leave them there, if truth be known.
Josh, thank you. Thank you for being a voice for the overwhelming majority of Australian men that aren’t violent to men or women. For the overwhelming majority of Australian men that would and do call out the casual sexism, that cross the road to make women feel safer, that raise their son and daughter the same.
The outpouring of emotion on this topic is understandable but it does not make broad gendered blame acceptable. Your voice is appreciated and sorely needed.
"Men need to do better," yes, I'm sure the murderers and rapists will internalize that and change.
I agree that singling out men to "do better" is unhelpful. As a middle age white woman living in a safe / comfortable world I don't think I am doing much to help either. I have sons who of course I am trying to raise to be "good men" but my husband is sharing this responsibility equally with me.
Good on Josh for calling out this myth about how there’s some closed-door fraternity of men who brag about mistreating women in some way. It’s such a bizarre delusion; protective instinct towards women is the bedrock of masculinity. The very finite slice of men who actually do harass or assault women would never bring it up around other men. Depending on the circumstances, any hint of “misogyny” raised in an all-male context would result in consequences for the speaker ranging from social exclusion to being beaten to death.
I’m with Josh in that I have not personally checked in at every private gathering of men that’s ever occurred, but this whole thing is a myth as far as I’m concerned.
Why did I listen to this? Sure it’s your job to be rational - but pure reason with no emotion is clinical and dangerous. This episode didn’t need to exist.
I definitely recommend you get fellow Aussie Bettina Arndt on your show, and definitely Canadian Janice Fiamengo., to discuss this particular issue and men's issues in today's culture more broadly.
Absolutely brilliant podcast Josh.
If only I had your eloquence!
That Herald piece was execrable and typical of almost everything I see in the media lately.
Josh, it would be good to have links to some of the statistics in notes for episodes like this. I shared some of the statistics here with friends and they flat out didn’t believe me. I have had a quick look on bureau of stats website but have not found the comparison of intimate partner violence across relationship types. Would be helpful to have sources listed where appropriate.
Josh you are no doubt a beautiful, big hearted man. You are impressively smart and articulate. And I wish that your articulate, well executed argument were true. If only changing the way that we think and talk about violence against women allowed us to feel safe in the world. It's our experience that informs the narrative. It is a shock to many women the first time the reality of male violence becomes our reality. I appreciate your efforts to stand up for men and trying to get them on board.