‘Angry Harry’ and the fight for masculinity

Men’s movement activist ‘Angry Harry’ says that men who support gender equality undermine men’s position in society.

Psychologists from the Critical Research Group at University College Northampton will present an analysis of descriptions of men and masculinities on a prominent Men’s Movement website called ‘Angry Harry’ (www.angryharry.com). Their research is being presented today, Thursday 1 September 2005, at the British Psychological Society’s Social Psychology Section Conference, which is being held at the University of Edinburgh.

The ‘Angry Harry’ website, one of many voices of the men’s movement, addresses the ‘crisis in masculinity’ in general, and issues like fathers’ rights and gendered violence in particular. ‘Angry Harry’ suggests that men are a marginalised group in society. He draws on a range of apparently unrelated political issues to position those supporting the men’s movement as ‘heroes’ or ‘anti heroes’ resisting men’s political oppression within an allegedly feminist dominated society.

According to the Critical Research Group "Angry Harry’s image of heroic masculinity is rooted in traditional ideas of manliness in which the hero is one who rejects notions of gender equality".

The authors will discuss the implications of Angry Harry’s arguments for challenging or supporting efforts towards gender equality in this society.

Ref: PR845