The Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity (SPSMM)

Division 51 of the American Psychological Association

 

Welcome to the SPSMM website! Feel free to explore the site's pages and links to find out more about our division and beliefs.

About Division 51

The Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity, Division 51 of the American Psychological Association, advances knowledge in the psychology of men through research, education, training, public policy, and improved clinical practice.

 

Purpose of Division 51

Division 51 believes aspects of traditional gender roles are restrictive in nature and often lead to negative consequences and unhealthy interactions for many individuals and society. SPSMM endeavors to point out constrictive conceptions of masculinity that have inhibited men's development, reduced men's capacity to form meaningful relationships, and contributed to the oppression of others. SPSMM supports the empowerment of all persons and believes this empowerment leads to the highest level of functioning in individual men and women.

 

Mission of SPSMM

The Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity (SPSMM) :

• Promotes the critical study of how gender shapes and constricts men’s lives.
• Committed to an enhancement of men’s capacity to experience their full human potential.
• Endeavors to erode constraining definitions of masculinity which historically have inhibited men’s development, their capacity to form meaningful relationships, and have contributed to the oppression of other people.
• Acknowledges its historical debt to feminist-inspired scholarship on gender, and commits itself to the support of groups such as women, gays, lesbians and people of color that have been uniquely oppressed by the gender/class/race system.
• Contends vigorously that the empowerment of all persons beyond narrow and restrictive gender role definitions leads to the highest level of functioning in individual women and men, to the most healthy interactions between the genders, and to the richest relationships between them.

 

 

 

 

Division Contacts

Division President

Christopher Kilmartin

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Division Membership

Vic Frazao

Interested in joining division 51? Visit the division membership page for details of becoming a member of SPSMM.

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Division Student Reps

Jennifer Lane

David Goode-Cross

Bryant Smalley

Interested in becoming a student affiliate? Visit our student page and membership page.

 

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Website Editor

Matthew Genuchi

Feel free to email me feedback regarding the SPSMM website.

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