COACHING FOR MEN
In a world rife with toxic masculinity, men are often asked to do better. It's not so simple. We men are often not aware of the internalized and unconscious cultural norms that influence our thoughts and actions. To do better we have to become aware of our hidden programming and unhealed wounds. We also need to empower, encourage, and support each other to change. It’s up to us men to usher in a new era of whole and healthy masculinity.
At Ahimsa Liberation Coaching we work with men to uncover internalized traits of patriarchy that negatively influence how they see the world, their place in it, and their relationships--especially with themselves. We work to develop a healthy paradigm of masculinity for all aspects of life--work, family, dating, relationships,
What Is Patriarchy?
Patriarchy can be defined as a system of relationships, beliefs, and values embedded in political, social, and economic systems that structure gender inequality between men and women. Attributes seen as “feminine” are undervalued, while attributes regarded as “masculine” are privileged. Patriarchy is one of the 'Big 3' systems of oppression along with white supremacy and capitalism.
Who Suffers Because Of Patriarchy?
Patriarchy (in tandem with white supremacy and capitalism) maintains a hierarchy that values straight, white, cis-gendered, able-bodied, educated, property-owning, monogamous, Christian men as the ideal standard. Anyone who does not belong to this group is both consciously and unconsciously seen as marginalized, and subordinate, and routinely experiences less access to resources, goods, and services.
Because of our interconnectedness and interdependence, oppression harms both the oppressed and the oppressor. Everyone is harmed by patriarchy, including men. While all are not harmed equally, we do not often acknowledge how men are also harmed by patriarchy as they unconsciously perpetuate it.
While many men do not consciously seek to perpetuate patriarchy, it is the culture we were all born into, and as a result, we have all internalized many of its traits even if we don't live them in obvious ways. These traits manifest in men in many ways, including a sense of entitlement, believing there may be something fundamentally wrong with certain groups of people (e.g. women, trans and non-binary people, disabled people, those who are non-monogamous), a rigid idea of masculinity, and more.
Patriarchy can be defined as a system of relationships, beliefs, and values embedded in political, social, and economic systems that structure gender inequality between men and women. Attributes seen as “feminine” are undervalued, while attributes regarded as “masculine” are privileged. Patriarchy is one of the 'Big 3' systems of oppression along with white supremacy and capitalism.
Who Suffers Because Of Patriarchy?
Patriarchy (in tandem with white supremacy and capitalism) maintains a hierarchy that values straight, white, cis-gendered, able-bodied, educated, property-owning, monogamous, Christian men as the ideal standard. Anyone who does not belong to this group is both consciously and unconsciously seen as marginalized, and subordinate, and routinely experiences less access to resources, goods, and services.
Because of our interconnectedness and interdependence, oppression harms both the oppressed and the oppressor. Everyone is harmed by patriarchy, including men. While all are not harmed equally, we do not often acknowledge how men are also harmed by patriarchy as they unconsciously perpetuate it.
While many men do not consciously seek to perpetuate patriarchy, it is the culture we were all born into, and as a result, we have all internalized many of its traits even if we don't live them in obvious ways. These traits manifest in men in many ways, including a sense of entitlement, believing there may be something fundamentally wrong with certain groups of people (e.g. women, trans and non-binary people, disabled people, those who are non-monogamous), a rigid idea of masculinity, and more.