Reproductive rights and men. The unresolved debate

Abstract

The recent boom in studies on masculinity in Mexico has led to key themes in feminist discourse, such as reproduction rights, now becoming a matter for ref lection in the case of males. However, it is necessary to consider the coordinates of a generic order which provides the means of identifying the characteristics of these masculine rights by virtue of biological differences, asymmetry of power regarding women, and according to social position of each at the material and symbolic level. Although the topic is just star ting to be debated in Mexico, an in-depth analysis is lacking on what it means to incorporate the subject of reproduction rights into the debate on masculinity and men. The few effor ts which exist often stem from a restricted conception of reproduction rights, mechanically shifting women’s demands to men; they do not take into account the fact that the reproduction processes take place in women’s bodies, they omit the impact of the positions of power between men and women. They propose a voluntaristic vision of males and are not aware of the role of institutions in these processes.