From juggling the traditional and the modern to just a few ways to express your inner fears. The DW show The 77 Percent examines what masculinity means for African men today.
What does it mean to be an African in the 21st century? What pressure are men under? And how do we define masculinity in the modern world anyway?
These were just some of the questions the panel was asked in the latest edition of The 77 Percent’s Street Debate in Nairobi, Kenya.
Conversations about masculinity and masculinity are not unique to the African continent. But many African societies now find themselves in an often stark conflict between traditional and modern values.
“The majority of us come from a patriarchal society,” said Charles Okumu, the moderator of the Man Enough program in Kenya, which seeks to redefine traditional roles and masculinity.
“There was a way we should act, or see how our fathers treated our mothers.”
Tradition meets modernity
In many African societies – especially in rural communities – traditions still play an important role in everyday life. Men and boys are often brought up to see the “man” as the dominant force and provider in the household amid changing social norms.
In fast-growing cities like Nairobi, it is even more difficult to keep up with modern values in the face of persistent ideas of what makes a man a man.
“Some of our patriarchal paths that we inherited from our background are not really helpful in modern life,” said Okumu. “There are still some who want to behave like our fathers. But on the other hand, modernity has taught us to deal better with ourselves.”
The Kenyan influencer, radio host and comedian Eric Omondi has seen a great deal of development in Kenyan society compared to a few decades ago.
“While the roles were clearly defined back then – the man who brings the bacon home and the woman who cooks it – they no longer exist,” Omondi told DW.
Juggle expectations
As modern and traditional values collide, African men, especially the younger generation, find it difficult to live up to expectations on both sides.
“There is a fight that comes from within,” said Okumu. “To want to do things that are morally right in the modern way … But there is this inner struggle of still not wanting to let go, as we saw our fathers show us the way.”
Many men still feel the pressure of their families to live up to these male “ideals”.
“The expectations are great and [often] unrealistic, “said Omondi.” From his parents’ demands that he keep paying it with his younger siblings and aging parents – aka Black Tax – to his wife or girlfriend’s need for a new hairstyle, facial and a house on a hill [while] to be emotionally present and sensitive to all of your feelings. The list goes on and on. “
Okumu believes that boys have also lagged behind in education, albeit inadvertently.
“For the past decade or so, there has been an emphasis on girl education and empowerment – which I fully support,” said Okumu.
“However, it was done at the boy’s expense, and now these boys and girls have grown up. These girls are now better informed, make more informed decisions, and make more money leading to a much more informed one [woman]? “
Focus on mental health
This discussion of masculinity also highlights the importance of the mental health of African men – an issue that remains difficult to openly discuss.
“Most African societies have an implicit need for men to ‘man-up’ – so that all the emotions a man feels should not be expressed openly or even privately,” said comedian and influencer Eric Omondi.
“Because of this, many have [men’s] Challenges are swept under the carpet and rarely discussed “
Infertility, domestic violence, and financial abuse in Omondi’s cities are just some of the many problems African men face and are reluctant to talk about, even among family and closest friends.
If left unaddressed, these issues can lead to higher rates of gender-based violence, depression, and suicide in men, Omondi said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide rates in Africa are above the global average. Stress in men was compounded during the COVID-19 pandemic, with job losses and isolation taking their toll.
But more African men are talking about the pressures they are under.
Sign up for the free AllAfrica newsletter
Get the latest news from Africa delivered to your inbox
Success!
Almost finished…
We need to confirm your email address.
To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you.
Failure!
There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.
Resources like Okumu’s Man Enough program encourage participants to move beyond traditional gender roles.
Okumu also emphasized the importance of providing boys with good role models from a young age.
“Boys become the men they see around them,” he told DW during the street debate.
“We have to make a conscious choice to talk to our children, not because we feel that way [this or that] defines masculinity, but helps them see how easy it is to be a responsible person. “
Comedian Omondi believes that African men today can benefit from adopting values from other cultures while remaining true to their roots.
“Now that the world has become a village, it’s not far-fetched to grab a little of what works from western or eastern cultures and blend it with our very rich African culture as modern men,” said Omondi.
If you are struggling with your mental health or have thoughts of suicide, don’t hesitate to seek help. Find resources for mental health services in your part of the world here: https://www.befrienders.org/
source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/25/africa-modern-masculinity-in-africa-pressures-expectations-and-breaking-the-mold/
No comments:
Post a Comment