Nontoxic: Masculinity, Allyship, and Feminist Philosophy

This open access book argues for allyship masculinity as an open-ended, intersectional model for feminist men. It provides a roadmap for navigating between toxic masculinity on one side, and feminist androgyny on the other. Normative visions for what men should be take many forms. For some it is love and mindfulness; for others, wildness and heroic virtue. For still others the desire to separate a healthy manhood from toxic masculinity is a mistake: better to refuse to be men and salvage our humanity. Though Ben Almassi challenges the visions that Mary Wollstonecraft, bell hooks, and others have offered, he shares their belief that masculinity can be grounded in feminist values and practices. Almassi argues that we can make sense of relational allyship as practices of feminist masculinity, such that men can make distinctive and constructive contributions to gender justice in the unjust meantime.

"This book offers a thoughtful and sophisticated exploration of the vexing question: How can men ever become trusted allies to feminist women in their struggle against patriarchy? Ben Almassi’s writing weaves with integrity his personal convictions and his scholarly research. (Ken Clatterbaugh, Professor Emeritus, University of Washington, USA) 
"My students of all genders reject toxic masculinity, but they are never quite clear on the array of paths forward. Ben Almassi’s clear and careful book is sorely needed as a map and a guide for readers who hope for a vision of better masculinities, a vision for allyship that appreciates intersectionality."  (Kathryn J. Norlock, Kenneth Mark Drain Chair in Ethics, Trent University, Canada)

 "If we get rid of the ‘toxic’ in toxic masculinity, what’s left? Ben Almassi carefully lays out an account of masculinity that avoids the pitfalls of androgyny yet preserves some of the values of contemporary feminism. Taking the nature of relationships—as it underwrites an Indigenous conception of allyship—Almassi takes the reader step by step through a thoughtful account of allyship masculinity. This account not only answers the question of what is left, but it is consistent with an intersectional theory of privilege that results in a plethora of ways to support one another. bell hooks said that 'Feminism is for Everybody.' Almassi provides an account that demonstrates why."  (Andrea Sullivan-Clarke, President’s Indigenous Peoples Scholar, University of Windsor, Canada)

"This book brings a feminist-informed philosophical analysis to argue that feminist allyship masculinity provides a pathway through the tensions and contradictions of men’s engagement with feminism. It engages with complex epistemological and political dilemmas facing men who are trying to live their lives in ways that do justice to feminist principles and practices and it provides hope for a world beyond violent and toxic masculinities." (Bob Pease, Honorary Professor, Deakin University, Australia and author of Facing Patriarchy.)

Ben Almassi is a Professor of Philosophy and Affiliated Faculty in Gender & Sexuality Studies, Political & Social Justice Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies at Governors State University, USA.