A male feminist walks into a bar: male feminist capital and the “bloke turn” in feminism

Abstract

In Western societies, feminisms are being taken up in new and exciting ways. We are seeing a range of feminisms being expressed in the mainstream media and through alternative sites. A unique aspect of contemporary Western feminism is the take up by men, particularly those with profiles in public life and the media, and how this can build male feminist capital. This “bloke turn” has been welcomed by some as sign of the building of alliances for the feminist project; however, it has also been criticised as an encroachment on women’s spaces by men. Through case studies of three high-profile men occupying media spaces—Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian television host Karl Stefanovic, and British actor Benedict Cumberbatch—this paper examines how men who identify as feminism-friendly are positioning themselves in this emerging terrain.