From Ecomasculinity to Profeminist Environmentalism: Recreating Men’s Relationship with Nature

Abstract

While feminist and profeminist scholars are in agreement with the thesis that hegemonic and destructive forms of masculinity are the source of current environmental crises, there is less agreement on how to address this issue or on the way forward for ecologically conscious and profeminist men. Some forms of ecofeminism essentialise women as being closer to nature than men, while arguing that men are closer to culture. There seems little capacity for men to change in this view. In a parallel development, some ecomasculinity theorists argue that the problem is not with the nature of masculinity per se but with the separation of men’s natural maleness from forms of masculinity that suppress their infinite capacity to care. Such latter approaches espouse an ecomasculinist perspective rather than a materialist ecofeminist view. This chapter explores the implications of the materialist ecofeminist critique for what men can do to address current environmental crises.