Men aren't interested in gender studies

According to official data, the number of men participating in gender studies courses is alarmingly low, and in recent years, enrollment in university programs and higher education courses on gender equality has seen a more pronounced decline among men.

University of Oviedo

Since 1995, thanks to the effort and dedication of four women—Isabel Carrera, Rosa Cid, Socorro Suárez and Amparo Pedregal—Asturias became a pioneer in Gender Studies in Spain. From that same year, the Official Doctoral Program in Gender and Diversity has been offered without interruption.

The positive reception of the program led to the creation of two more programs. In 2005, the Master's in Gender and Diversity was established, and in 2006, the University of Oviedo obtained its first Erasmus Mundus program in Women's Studies through a competitive European call.

The director of the University Institute for Gender and Diversity, and one of the pioneers in gender studies at the University of Oviedo and in Spain, Isabel Carrera Suárez, expresses her enthusiasm. "Overall, enrollment has recently increased or remained steady. The Master’s in Gender and Diversity exceeds the quota of applications and is therefore consistent. The Erasmus Mundus GEMMA program has increased in recent years, with high participation from international students, as is the case in the doctoral program."

Male participation has never been high. In the last four years, the graphs show a marked decline in various courses. In the Official Doctoral Program in Gender and Diversity, the number of female enrollments reaches a total of 213, compared to 19 male enrollments. Similarly, in the Master’s in Gender and Diversity, the number of female enrollments is 102, compared to 10 male enrollments. In the Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Women’s and Gender Studies, the number of female enrollments is 96, compared to just 2 male enrollments.

Gender and diversity studies have remained stable over time, with enrollments doubling the minimum quota of students. Despite this, the number of male students continues to be minimal. Regarding this, Isabel Carrera shares her opinion: “I think the idea still persists that the pursuit of equality is a women’s issue, not something that should be built by society as a whole, which would benefit everyone. There are also some unfounded fears, among some men, of feminism or how they might be received in these programs. On the other hand, there is a great deal of ignorance about the research and specialization needed to understand why this inequality exists and how it can be fought, not to mention understanding the highly complex gender issues in all fields of knowledge, from medicine to art. This very complex, yet fascinating field is often simplified and reduced to mere opinion or political battles in popular thinking. These programs attract people who are highly motivated to better understand the world from an open-minded perspective. They do not lead directly to a specific job, although they are useful for all of them.”

Training Program

Asturias is one of the pioneering regions, along with Madrid and the Canary Islands, in offering the Advanced Vocational Training Program in Gender Equality Promotion. Both at C.I.F.P. Cerdeño and I.E.S. Número 1, they maintained an average of 25 enrollments per course until 2020. However, during the 2021-2022 academic year, the number of enrollments dropped. In Oviedo, it decreased from 21 to 7, while in Gijón, it remained at 19 enrollments. One of the reasons why C.I.F.P. Cerdeño discontinued the program from the 2022-2023 academic year was the decline in enrollments. On the other hand, in Gijón, the program remains active despite a decrease from 20 enrollments to 13 in 2023-2024.

In this gender program, subjects such as Social Intervention Methodology, Community Development, Information and Communication with a Gender Perspective, Prevention of Gender Violence, Promotion of Female Employment, Intervention Areas for the Promotion of Equality, Social Participation of Women, Socio-educational Intervention for Equality, Social Skills, First Aid, Training and Career Guidance, Business and Entrepreneurial Initiative, and Work Placement are taught.

This training prepares students for a professional career in organizations committed to equality. The work is carried out in both the public and private sectors, within the field of equality services and in various institutions that offer economic and community services aimed at achieving effective equality, such as associations, foundations, institutions, unions, companies, consulting firms, municipal services, equality bodies, and community centers, among others.

The Advanced Vocational Training Program in Gender Equality Promotion

is not attractive to men, just as feminism is not.

The fact that it belongs to the community services sector does not help. Men's disinterest in this field is related to sexism, gender roles, and stereotypes applied to feminized professions. Additionally, discussing "equality" is mistakenly linked to the relinquishment of some privileges that men gain simply by being men, which requires effort and a change of mindset that is unappealing. It is common to ignore the needs and show disinterest in such a scenario. Therefore, the program is not appealing to men because they do not feel it is for them or that their interests are considered.

By examining the official data of individuals who have enrolled in the Advanced Vocational Training Program in Gender Equality Promotion over the years, it is revealed that the percentage of men undertaking this training has always been very low, ranging from zero to five enrolled students. Currently, we find that in 2022-2023, 3 men were enrolled, and in 2023-2024, none.

The decline is evident. So, what should be changed to make these studies more attractive? Students who have already completed this program agree that it’s not about making them more appealing but rather about raising awareness that training is not gender-specific. They also identify various "gaps" in the program. The program falls short in gender-related subjects, such as the broader social issues surrounding it, not just gender violence. It also lacks theoretical hours for learning how to conduct and facilitate workshops or create an equality plan and is more oriented toward project creation. Similarly, there is agreement on the need to revise the curriculum to include various gender identities, not just binary ones.

I.E.S. Número 1, where the Advanced Vocational Training Program in Gender Equality Promotion is offered in Gijón and is currently the only public institution providing this program throughout Asturias, offers its perspective. Sandra Campo Menéndez, the head of the Department of Socio-cultural Services and the Community, and representative of equality on the School Council, and Cristina Álvarez Iglesias, one of the professors who adapted the national curriculum for Gender Equality Promotion to the Principality of Asturias, agree that this training program has unique features not found in any other program and that it is essential to maintain it.

Regarding the profile of students in the Gender Equality Promotion program, Cristina Álvarez responds: “It is true that the people who enroll in the course are adults, with some background in gender equality or personal experiences. Vocational training is designed for employment, but not everyone who enrolls is directly focused on that. Some use the program as a complement to their studies, while others, close to retirement age, take it to enhance their professional qualifications. The age of the students ranges from 18 to 50 years, and each person has their own reasons for enrolling. What students do have in common is a high level of commitment.”

The presence of equality officers in public and private institutions is considered necessary. “Moreover, these are laws that must be followed and accepted by everyone. Training in certain issues is not negotiable. It should be something transversal. The reality speaks for itself. Just look at the figures in the labor market. They are overwhelming. We are not only talking about gender violence but also about who holds high positions in institutions. It is rare to find women in positions of power,” explains Sandra Campo. “Furthermore, without equality, there is no democracy. Real democracy requires effective equality. There is still much work to be done.”

From the teaching staff’s perspective, the reception has been positive. Sandra Campo analyzes the situation: “In the orientation department, where we channel activities and proposals, there is a great deal of involvement and awareness from both the administration and the faculty, and it is getting better. The demand for awareness-raising activities from students has increased, and that is a sign that society is changing.”

There is very little male involvement in the program. “We know that the level of male involvement is far from optimal. Gender equality training is an education that, if not entirely, should be largely transversal across all training programs to address this difficulty,” comments Cristina Álvarez, who confirms that a prior foundation of learning about gender independence is necessary in vocational training programs.

Interviews with Workers

Social Intervention worker at the Red Cross, Irene Pascual Díaz, shares her perspective on her experience with the Gender Equality Promotion program. “It was a strange year because we were hit by the pandemic, but it was a good course, and I did my internship at Fundación Mujeres. At first, we did very little. We reviewed the website, the documentation... Then the training workshops for women came along, and we got much more involved. Fundación Mujeres has specific and very good programs, closer to the labor field,” recalls Irene.

When it comes to finding work in the field of equality, Irene faced the same challenges as in other job sectors. “There is a lot of competition. Many places look for higher education qualifications. The truth is, I was fortunate to be a Red Cross volunteer, I left my resume, went through different stages, and, all things considered, I started working quite quickly,” she adds. “Currently, my responsibilities include direct support to users, administrative tasks, and emergencies. There is constant work in gender equality. It’s non-stop, and there is a need for people.”

Working in the field, she comments on what is needed for the role of equality officer to function effectively. “Gender perspective is crucial in all areas, especially when it is highly feminized or masculinized; in both extremes, it is necessary. Balanced teams are the key,” asserts Irene Pascual. “There is still very little gender perspective. Even in places where gender issues are addressed, there are many difficulties yet to be resolved and understood.”

The worker from the Female and Plural Program at the Equality Policies Office of the Gijón City Council, lawyer, and former educator at the Network of Shelters for Women Victims of Gender Violence, Daniel Rodríguez Juidías, describes his experience with the Gender Equality Promotion program as an opportunity. “In 2009, when I began to take an interest in gender equality, it was a field that was not well-developed and lacked the voice it needed. It was offered by the university and was taught by men. Later, when I complemented my studies with the Advanced Vocational Training Program in Gender Equality Promotion, fortunately, there were professional women in the field who taught the subject well,” comments Daniel. “My internship was very good. I did it within the Network of Shelters at La Casa Malva and then worked there. Through the Red Cross, I signed up as a volunteer to do things in my neighborhood. We organized film forums, workshops, and activities. It was a very good experience. I would also like to make a special mention of Puri Rodríguez, who was an important pillar, not only for me but for all the colleagues who were in the Network of Shelters. She also worked at the Simone de Beauvoir Association and passed away in 2021. She was a very important woman who always did everything she could to help us.”

He did not have difficulties finding a job after completing the program. “To be honest, if you’re a man in the field of equality, it’s quite a bit easier. I’m not saying it’s easy, because work is difficult for everyone, especially in Asturias, but women worked very hard to make the field more accessible, and then we came along, and in my opinion, it was much easier.”

Gender Equality Promotion is a fundamental pillar in the labor field.

“The role of equality promotion can be a backbone in other labor areas, both in support and action. Equality, whether by gender, ethnicity, social class, functional diversity, etc., if we don’t take people into account, direct discrimination exists,” comments Daniel Rodríguez. “I recommend undertaking this program because it is an open space where everyone, regardless of gender, always has a place. The good thing is that when you’re in the social movement or doing volunteer work, you meet a lot of people, and you can also be a support or a guide for friends and family. In the end, we can support each other socially by building networks, both in educational and professional fields, and this is a very important avenue.”

The seed planted through students, in all aspects of their lives, extends to other people who will also benefit from the training. The men who are completing their second year of the Gender Equality Promotion program, 2023-2024, share their personal assessments of the course through their personal experiences.

Students of the Vocational Training Program

The male students of the Advanced Vocational Training Program in Gender Equality Promotion explain why they became interested in it. “My main reason for enrolling in this vocational training was because I have friends who are or have been in abusive relationships. I wanted to gain information and learn useful resources and tools to help in these situations and make my environment a better place by taking good care of my friends. I’ve delved deeper than I expected,” confirms M. F. Fernández.

“It’s a program that embraces everyone, welcomes diversity, and makes all the people who choose to enroll feel valued. I learned about these studies through Educastur's educational offerings, and it caught my attention. It’s a program that reveals the social reality we live in, but it also offers personal growth and a way of seeing life that is very different from what I had learned as a child,” admits Adey R. F.

From an objective standpoint, these courses should be undertaken regardless of age and gender. They teach a different perspective, empathy, respect, and the appropriate terms to use. This helps address difficulties, as naming the problems that most women face—problems for which they are silenced, punished, and ridiculed—can bring about change. Men are not exempt from machism violence; they experience it daily, feeling the constant responsibility to be the provider when everything else fails, the handyman, the problem-solver at any cost, the tough one, the stoic, and the one who shows no vulnerability because that is what it means to be a man. Just looking at the official data on these courses reveals the significant gender gap that persists in our country.

Gender programs make visible the issues of inequality, machism, and gender violence. These problems occur daily and are dangerous forces that affect everyone, not just women. They are a scourge that must disappear for future generations to be different, better. This makes training courses necessary.

The evidence is clear: gender equality is a fundamental pillar in society. We must be present on this path, as there is still much to be done, and we need to do it together, as equals.

—By Gabriel A. Rancel for the newspaper EL COMERCIO—.