Source:  wikimedia.org

Women’s Representatives have been a staple of British campuses all over the country for several decades. Still considered disadvantaged in the workplace and in academia despite equality laws, women now make up the majority of university students and the majority of graduates in some fields. More and more women are graduating universities and are getting higher grades meaning some people feel that males on our campuses are suffering.

The authorities of the Student Union of Keele University attempted to abolish the position of Men’s Representative for the next academic year, but student voters elected to reject the move and allow the position to continue alongside the Women’s Representative.

It was suggested by university authorities that both roles should in future be abolished in favour of a Gender Equality Representative / Officer. Other Student Unions and bodies at other universities may follow suit and in the early part of 2015, some universities proposed to do just that.

Keele University is one of the largest campuses in the country and this could be considered a big step towards gender equality and raising issues that male students feel they are unable to talk about; some universities have denied there is even a need for a Men’s Representative, but what is the point of this role? Don’t men have enough outlets to express themselves?

What Does a Men’s Representative Do?

The Keele University Men’s Representative speaks out on and addresses issues that are specific to male students. While some question the validity of needing an equality officer for men, there are important issues that the role addresses and raises awareness of, particularly mental health.

• Male students are more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with university stresses
• The male suicide rate is three times that of women and is the biggest killer of males under the age of 30
• Societies expectations of men (to “man up” and act macho) exacerbates mental illness in men

Source: pixabay.com

The Men’s Representative at Keele University isn’t just about mental health services. Men are not known for taking care of their physical health and the role encourages men to take care of their minds and their bodies – whether that’s checking themselves for cancer, looking after their weight or even dealing with eating disorders. The position is there to help anyone who identifies as a man engage fully within university life without feeling marginalised.