Two men address “Does Feminism Discriminate Against Men?” at CSB

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Two men will discuss sexual discrimination during a presentation Oct. 22 at the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph.

Jim Sterba, professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, and Warren Farrell, a researcher and international speaker on men’s issues, speak on “Does Feminism Discriminate Against Men?” at 7 p.m. at Alumnae Hall, Haehn Campus Center, CSB.

Their presentation will focus on issues of discrimination in the workplace and in schools. Sterba and Farrell will also demonstrate how to engage in controversial conversations in constructive ways.

Specifically, they will address how this project changed their own thinking about feminism and gender issues and what they learned from the dialogue with each other. Sterba and Farrell will offer suggestions for raising gender awareness and working for gender equality.

The two – along with Steven Svoboda – have written a book, “Does Feminism Discriminate against Men?” (Oxford University Press, 2008). The book offers a sharp and lively debate on the impact of feminism on men – Farrell praising feminism for opening options for women but criticizing it for demonizing men, distorting data and undervaluing the family, while Sterba maintains that the feminist movement gives a long-neglected voice to women in a male-dominated world and that men are not an oppressed gender in today’s America.

Sterba’s and Farrell’s presentation is co-sponsored by the Women’s Lives Series at the College of Saint Benedict and the Men’s Lives Series at Saint John’s University, Collegeville.

The Women's Lives Series speaks to the diversity of women's lives and experiences, provides students with opportunities to look at women's issues in a sustained, focused and critical way, and utilizes an intercultural approach. The series promotes dialogue on some of the difficult questions about women's roles in society, obstacles they face and the strengths and perspectives they have to offer.

The Men's Lives Series provides students with the opportunity to examine men's issues. The series encourages dialogue on difficult issues involving masculinity, men’s role in society, patriarchy, and the important role of gender in society.

Both the Women’s Lives and the Men’s Lives series focus on intellectual growth and the opportunity to integrate spiritual, psychological, physical, emotional and intellectual selves to use this self-understanding as a basis for taking action in the world.