Bettina Arndt on feminism and real men!

Please note, while this is an important and insightful conversation, some content may not be suitable for children. We advise parental discretion.

In this episode of Family Matters, Simon interviews Australian writer and commentator Bettina Arndt AM about the very real challenges facing young men and boys in a highly feminised society. It is a fascinating and animated discussion, and also one that is challenging and robust!

Bettina was actually one of Australia’s first sex therapists and trained (though didn’t practice) in clinical psychology but in recent years has moved into becoming a men’s rights activist (as she describes herself). Early on in the podcast, she shares some of her work writing newspaper columns and talking into mainstream media starting from the 1970s and how society has changed since then.

In more recent times, she began writing and speaking as to how Australia has become a very “anti-male” society, arguing that modern feminism advantages women at men’s expense. Simon and Bettina talk around a number of examples, with Bettina citing the public service being a female majority and shaping gendered policy; men comprising most suicides yet prevention strategies avoid targeting men; boys’ education gaps being ignored; and media narratives portraying men negatively. She shares many more examples and also responds to Simon’s question around her recent Substack where she challenges calls to attract more women into building and construction by removing long hours, early starts and rigid schedules.

Bettina also addresses the move towards affirmative consent training for young people, and also discusses the impact of false accusations on young people, particularly boys. She asks listeners to get involved from engaging with their local school to writing letters to politicians, asking that the needs of boys and young men are properly addressed.

When Simon asks how she sustains her work, particularly with the backlash she often receives, she references the numerous messages she receives from men and also mothers, thanking her for her advocacy. ​