In this TED Talk, Michael Kimmel, a sociologist known for his work on masculinity and gender equality, shares a powerful narrative about the invisibility of privilege, particularly as it pertains to race and gender. Kimmel recounts an eye-opening experience where a conversation about race with women of different backgrounds made him realize his own race and gender were invisible to him due to his privilege as a white man. This privilege, he notes, is invisible to those who have it.
Kimmel connects this story to the broader topic of gender equality and the resistance to it by some men. He humorously describes how men can often perceive the idea of gender equality with 'premature self-congratulation' or outright resistance, as seen in his anecdote about a TV show titled 'A Black Woman Stole My Job,' which highlights men's sense of entitlement.
Kimmel argues that gender equality is not only fair and just but also beneficial for men, countries, and businesses, highlighting that countries with higher gender equality also have higher happiness levels, and gender-equal companies see numerous workplace improvements. He emphasizes the personal benefits for men, such as improved relationships with their children, healthier and happier wives, and better personal health. Moreover, he shares data that suggests when men equally share household and childcare responsibilities, they have more intimate relations with their partners, a fact that even made it to the cover of Men's Health magazine as 'Choreplay.'
The central message of Kimmel's talk is the importance of making gender visible to men as the first step toward engaging them in the support of gender equality. By sharing responsibilities at home and recognizing their own privileges, Kimmel suggests that men can lead happier, healthier lives, and contribute to a more equitable society.
