Yes, men perform the majority of violent crimes, but we should also acknowledge they perform the majority of bystander rescues too. More likely to run into the fire, more likely to scale the building, more likely to jump onto the rail tracks, more likely to wade into the river and more likely stand in the way of an assailant. Not only are men the most likely to perform bystander rescues, they are also the least likely to be the recipient of one – and will have to wait until the age of 75 before they can expect the same assistance in a life threatening situation that women have enjoyed their whole lives. So yes, whilst ‘men’ are framed as society’s great villain, should they not also be acknowledged as the hero too? Society constantly points at ‘male violence’, but ought mens’ innate propensity to risk their lives for a complete stranger, be spoken about in the same way? And why is the male sex so often erased when reporting on these matters – why do these men become ‘bystanders’, ‘good Samaritans’ or ‘vigilantes’, and yet on the flip side of male criminality their gender is front and centre with ‘gunman’, ‘knifeman’, or ‘mad man’. What’s so wrong about acknowledging the good side of men? Is it time we spoke of men’s heroism? ~
Carnegie Award carnegiehero.org/ 90% of winners are men https://tinyurl.com/4fr39epp #menaregood

2022-10-05