For the Love of Men

From Toxic to a More Mindful Masculinity

By: Liz Plank

Narrated by: Liz Plank

This program is read by the author.

A nonfiction investigation into masculinity, For the Love of Men provides actionable steps for how to be a man in the modern world, while also exploring how being a man in the world has evolved.

In 2019, traditional masculinity is both rewarded and sanctioned. Men grow up being told that boys don’t cry and dolls are for girls (a newer phenomenon than you might realize - gendered toys came back in vogue as recently as the '80s). They learn they must hide their feelings and anxieties, that their masculinity must constantly be proven. They must be the breadwinners, they must be the romantic pursuers. This hasn’t been good for the culture at large: 99 percent of school shooters are male; men in fraternities are 300 percent (!) more likely to commit rape; a woman serving in uniform has a higher likelihood of being assaulted by a fellow soldier than to be killed by enemy fire.

In For the Love of Men, Liz offers a smart, insightful, and deeply researched guide for what we're all going to do about toxic masculinity. For both women looking to guide the men in their lives and men who want to do better and just don’t know how, For the Love of Men will lead the conversation on men's issues in a society where so much is changing, but gender roles have remained strangely stagnant.

What are we going to do about men? Liz Plank has the answer. And it has the possibility to change the world for men and women alike.

©2019 Liz Plank (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

10/10

Boy mom trying to raise a good man. & this book gives the best insight on what that means to actually do so.

Gave Me Hope

Lately, I have been working through examining societal pressures/practices that I have felt uncomfortable with, injured by or stifled by and my resulting emotions. This book was a perfect accompaniment to this journey as it showcases a clear picture of the various ways toxic masculinity through the structures of patriarchy/white supremacy/colonization has harmed everyone, but how men, in particular, are effected.

Liz Plank does an excellent job balancing the ways men uphold these systems to their simultaneous benefit and detriment, while giving hope (and permission) to dream for a future where a healthy masculinity can one day be realized. She doesn’t state what that looks like beyond overarching themes/statements (I believe on purpose) and I appreciate that as it allows us, as the reader, to contemplate what that looks like, as well as how we can get there; engaging us in dreaming of a future equitable for all and allowing us to take ownership in creating it.

I highly recommend this book for anyone and everyone so we can confront how we have been conditioned to uphold these problematic mindsets and dynamics in our daily lives. Please remember that while reflection is key: so is action.

On a side note: if anyone would like to delve into great topics that engage in the same vein of subject matters I also recommend “The Man Enough” podcast that Liz is a co-host of.

PLEASE READ THIS

Y’all. This is it. This is everything I need as a person who longs to exist in a world where everybody gets to be who they are. This is a must read for everyone. Liz Plank - I tip my hat my gal 💛 thank you for writing this book.

Reality shaking

Everyone who is a man, loves a man, or plans to love a man will greatly benefit from reading this book. The author also does a good job of bringing her personality out in the reading of the book.

A must read!

Fantastic work on addressing what many avoid. It was great to listen directly from the author, this book is highly recommended.

Powerful and Important - Now more than Ever

I wish I could put a copy of this book into every person’s hands. Liz Plank does a phenomenal job analyzing what has long been the source of violence and mass destruction in our world: the societal pressure for men to conform to a toxic version of masculinity. This book challenges what we have been taught to deem “normal” across gender and invites us all to think deeper into what being a man truly means, or what being a man could mean if men had the same freedoms that women have to express themselves across a wide social and emotional spectrum. This book is not anti-men; this book examines what our world could look like if men had the permission to express themselves freely and most importantly, love themselves for who they are.

Every man needs to read or listen to this book

The title explains everything! We all have a lot of work to do as men and this is a very good place to figure that out.

A Good Start

Similar to Sam Keen, this book really tries to compassionately hold men accountable for their choices... It also tries to give men a new way to think about what masculinity actually could look like... i am certain they mean well but until I see an actual transfer of the world off my proverbial shoulders and on to those who "know better" conjecture is all this is.... i.e. This author has to stop The Proud Boys.

Disarmingly informative and so much clarity

It's like Liz answered questions I've always had subconsciously about my own "manhood", but never thought to ask. Despite our societal privilege, or perhaps to sustain that privilege, this world is hard for men too. This book helped me feel okay acknowledging this feeling while respecting all people regardless of gender-- something I can't say that about typical men's rights groups which seem to be focused more on fear of losing privilege while completely missing the disadvantages this causes everyone (including men, paradoxically). Thank you, Liz, I learned a lot. This book was difficult to face at times, but ultimately provided relief for me as a man who wants society to be fair for everyone and who wants to recognize the ways I unconsciously work against that through gendered behaviour. Toxic vs. healthy masculinity is an important topic to look at and Liz did an awesome job illustrating it. I hope everyone reads/listens to this book. From fascists to feminists, everyone can learn something about themselves and this challenging world we've created.

All Humans need this!

I was told about this book by a man friend of mine. I was looking for ways to help support my husband on this journey of unveiling the subconscious mind around Harsh Masculinity. I learned so much for me and I ended up buying and listening to the book anytime I was on a walk. Now I have fallen a pon the podcast Justin, Kevin and Liz all co-host "The Man Enough podcast" Here I am finding more incredible sources, stories and connection that at least is reach me on a deeper level and opening him up to explore! Thank you Liz for your determination to finish this book and thrive inside your passion!