The Menís Advocacy Network formed this year to address what Miche·l OíDuffy í12, considers a pressing need.
ìWe discuss how to become better men,” says OíDuffy, president of the new organization.
The idea for the Menís Advocacy Network, or M.A.N., came to OíDuffy ìin a dream.” He says, ìwomen are taught how to be women by their mothers, but men are not taught how to be men by their fathers.” OíDuffy researched the existence of menís issues groups across campuses in the United States, but found few resources for men.† ìThereís not a real forum for guys to talk about these things Ö that national basis does not exist.”
OíDuffy is attempting to create such a forum. ìWeíre trying to get at real, genuine masculinity,” he says, ìmasculinity with integrity and honor.” The group tries to dissuade negative images of masculinity as ìchauvinist.” Group members learn ìhow to become a better man, how to carry oneís self as a man Ö becoming a gentleman is a life-long process.”
The group meets each Saturday night in Babcock Formal Lounge at 7 p.m. Discussions vary weekly and feature a member of the group leading discussion on a topic ìon which he is well-versed.” For example, one student, who had attended an etiquette school, led a discussion on male etiquette.
OíDuffy has many plans for the upcoming academic year. The group has ìlined up a series of faculty speakers” to lead Saturday night discussions and OíDuffy also indicated parents of group members are scheduled to speak as well.† In addition to discussions, the group studies cases of ìgreat men.”† The group is also planning a forum event for next semester, which will feature a series of men discussing ìwhat it means to be masculine,” according to OíDuffy.
The M.A.N. is incorporating a social aspect into their Saturday night discussions.† The group kicked off the year with a party with a ìMad Men” theme, and they plan to host a formal dance next semester.
ìThis is an exciting group,” says OíDuffy, ìwith good discussions.”† Group meetings are open to both men and women on campus. OíDuffy encourages interested students to check the ìred tie” poster on Lowryís spiral staircase of the theme of each weekís meeting.