There are feminist men among us and Michael Messner is one of them. Well known for his work on gender and masculinities, USC professor Messner is slated for a guest lecture at California State University, Northridge. He will be exploring the existing gender divisions in sports and athletics.

From the CSUN newsroom:

University of Southern California sociologist and gender specialist Michael Messner will explore these gender divisions during a presentation, “It’s All for the Kids: Gender, Families and Youth Sports,” at Cal State Northridge on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. in the university’s Little Theatre on the southwest corner of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

“His topic should be of interest to many as it touches on activities that are the cornerstone of so many families’ lives. His research reveals how these activities in many ways influence and affect individual understanding of gender relations as children grow up,” said CSUN assistant professor of sociology Alex Bierman, who is helping coordinate Messner’s visit.

Messner has spent the past seven years researching the shift in gender relations and tensions that have accompanied increased participation of girls and women in sports.

“I look at persistent gender divisions of labor among parent volunteers, and ask how is it that most youth sports coaches are men while most of the ‘team parents’ are women,” Messner said. “I will discuss how these gender divisions of labor among adults mesh with the persistent tensions in families and work places, and how they impact children as they shape their ideas about gender and begin to imagine their future work and family lives.”

The blog, Feminist Allies, features a current post with a biography of Messner and excerpts from his influential work in sociology, masculinities theory and women’s studies.

Books include:

It’s All for the Kids: Gender, Families and Youth Sports; Out of Play: Critical Essays on Gender and Sport; Gender Through the Prism of Difference; Men’s Lives