BRO-CIAL Justice? The Dynamics of Masculinities Work Within Women’s Centers

Abstract

This work explores the evolving landscape of masculinities and men’s engagement programming within Women’s Centers. While Women’s Centers throughout history have primarily supported women and feminist activism, in recent years there has been a growing push to expand gender-inclusive programming. This shift is evident in the adoption of titles like “Gender Equity Center” and programs focusing on “healthy” masculinity—particularly as calls for anti-DEI measures permeate American policy. This is also illustrated by the rise in violence prevention grants calling for men’s engagement, many of which provide Women’s Centers with much-needed funding for their work. This call for inclusion prompts the question: how do men and masculinities fit within these institutions purposefully developed to be safe havens from patriarchal power? In this work, we present a systematic review of men and masculinities theory and practice within Women’s and Gender Equity Centers (WGECs) across American college campuses. We begin with a history of men’s involvement in these centers, highlighting evolution alongside societal understandings of gender. Our analyses reveal three key sites where masculinities are explored: (1) promotion of gender-inclusive spaces, (2) conversations of intersectional privilege, and (3) positioning of men in feminist and violence prevention. We then analyze a Women’s Center at an elite midsize research university as a case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategies described. Based on these findings, we conclude with recommendations for other WGECs aiming to optimize the role of masculinities work in their own spaces.