MICHELLE MANABAT

If the University of Saskatchewan is interested in promoting equality for all genders, shouldn’t there be a men’s centre on campus? Surprisingly, male students convinced me that a men’s centre at the U of S is not necessary.

Feminism is a lot more evident than ever before, especially within our generation. There exists countless movements and organizations made to support women. The U of S campus alone has different groups that are actively promoting equality and feminism. The biggest group on campus would probably be the U of S Students’ Union’s Women’s Centre; a place where women can feel safe and comfortable while seeking the help and support they might need.

When I asked male and female students at the U of S whether or not they thought we should have a men’s centre, the most common answer I received was, “If there’s a women’s centre, then yes, we should have a men’s centre too.”

Though it’s nice to hear that both men and women care about equality, saying there should be a men’s centre just because a women’s centre exists doesn’t seem so compelling. This kind of reasoning sounds childish, insincere and shallow. Having something for the sake of “getting even” is just not a good enough reason. Rather, we should think about what reasons there would be for getting a men’s centre on campus.

Let’s consider this: if a men’s centre existed, what would its purpose be?

“It should be a rehabilitation centre for men mixed with leisure activities. When I say rehabilitation, I mean a place that helps men with mental health and issues concerning their well-being,” said Koko Kyaw, a first-year student in the College of Arts and Science.

Basically, a men’s centre should be a place where men can hang out and study, while their problems can also be discussed and addressed. It sounds fair — men have problems too. A men’s centre isn’t a bad idea if this is the purpose it would serve. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that it would be a positive space, which is probably one of the reasons why we don’t have one.

“My answer is to anybody who believes that there is a need for a men’s centre, should start one,” said Manny Barker, a fourth-year international studies student. “There is nothing stopping anyone from doing that. But more often than not when the lack of a men’s centre is brought up, it’s being used to argue against feminism, or against what feminists want because it’s not equality if the same institutions don’t exist for men.”

Therefore, wanting to create a men’s centre may be idealistic. The bigger problem that follows is the fact that there are lots of male-oriented problems that aren’t talked about or are stigmatized as not being issues relevant to men, or the assumption that men don’t want to sit around and talk about these either.

Interestingly enough, some men still believe that they are not as disadvantaged as women are and therefore don’t need a support centre.

“I believe that organizations like the Help Centre, the Women’s Centre and the Pride Centre exist according to necessity. The Women’s Centre and the Pride Centre don’t exist just for people to hang out and be chill, they provide an environment that is guaranteed to be safe and considerate for a demographic that hasn’t historically had access to one,” said Barker. “Men don’t need that. We can just chill out anywhere.”

Centres are a place for people to meet others who have similar interests and to do so in an environment that is supportive. Creating a men’s centre might take the spotlight away from groups who may actually need that attention or safe place. Therefore, the general consensus seems to be that men don’t need a centre — it is simply not a necessity in the way that other USSU centres are.

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Image: Jeremy Britz