Though men can take the position of gender theorists, it is far more difficult for them to be specifically feminists. To make it a little bit clearer, I am attempting to explain that men can research and write feminist scholarship, but they risk being seen as disingenuous (in particular, trying to court female interest), lacking in credibility, or participating in a movement that is none of their business. In other words, while it is technically possible for men to produce feminist research, they risk rejection.
I am going to use a simple example, perhaps a little too simple, but it is the most straightforward way of explanation. Take a look at the following picture. What do you see?
Source: The Sun (who else?!!)Visually speaking, it is a photograph of Katie Price. The photo here shows in limited clothing, in front of an audience, positioned in a highly provocative pose. Two different feminists could have a two unique opinions of this image, depending on how liberal their feminist standpoint is.
The first feminist may see the picture as Price using her sexuality to promote her wealth and fortune, and enjoying the freedom of expression afforded to the modern woman. Another feminist may see the picture as Price bringing women's liberation into disrepute, playing up to male fantasies and causing women's rights campaigners - such as Emily Davison - to spin in their graves.
Herein lies the problem. The two feminist critics could engage in this debate, with the most likely outcome a stalemate and neither compromising towards the other's position. At least both leave with their credentials intact. Men engaging in such debate would not have that luxury.
A man could take either position in the debate, but they can easily be discredited by women who take the alternative view. By biological default, the man's strength of argument is weakened by the fact he is debating a feminist point when not female. If a man and a woman discuss women's politics from differing viewpoints, whose account appears to be most credible?
I enjoy reading about feminism. For the above reasons, I choose not to produce it or contribute to the literature. Maybe I feel it is not my place to, and it is a subject more appropriately and effectively tackled by women. Ultimately, men could create feminist scholarship, but with it comes a risk of it not being fully accepted as authentic.
