WHY GENDER EQUALITY IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE – MEN INCLUDED

Sociologist Michael Kimmel, who was recently called “the world’s preeminent male feminist” by the Guardian, elaborates on why gender equality is a win-win game for countries, for business, for men. An amazing talk that reveals through practical, funny cases how the more egalitarian our relationships are, the happier and healthier we become.

Inspired by an incident from his graduate years, 30 years ago, Michael Kimmel explains why gender equality is not about women or men. It is an issue about visible or invisible structural inequalities. The world is easier for a white middle-class man, a privilege which is not visible to those who have it. Making privileges, like gender, visible for everyone is the first step to support equality.

Good for Business

Why should we support gender equality at all? Of course, it’s fair, it’s right and it’s just, but apart from these? Gender equality is good for countries. According to most studies it turns out that the most gender equal countries are the happier countries.

Gender equality is good for business. It raises productivity and job satisfaction, and it lowers the levels of attrition and job turnover.

Gender equality is good for men. Young men today want to have a family-career balance, they want to be involved fathers and live animated by terrific relationships with their children and partners.

The reason why we should all be involved is because gender equality is the way to a happier and healthier life. It is the way to get the lives we want to live!

By Konstantina Nani