Survey Says: How Are Men Really Processing #MeToo?

Since it hit the mainstream last fall, the #MeToo movement has sent shockwaves through our collective consciousness, revealing predators in some of our most respected positions and forcing all of us to re-evaluate our behavior. But despite how pervasive the phrase has become, would you be shocked to know that 41 percent of men haveโ€ฆ

Since it hit the mainstream last fall, the #MeToo movement has sent shockwaves through our collective consciousness, revealing predators in some of our most respected positions and forcing all of us to re-evaluate our behavior. But despite how pervasive the phrase has become, would you be shocked to know that 41 percent of men have purportedly never heard of #MeToo?

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Trumpโ€™s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trumpโ€™s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Thatโ€™s what a survey jointly conducted by Glamour and GQ revealed as the magazines asked 1,000 men across the United States ages 18-55 about how the #MeToo movement has affected their lives. Aside from the 41 percent who claim not to have heard of the movement, 47 percent admitted that theyโ€™d yet to discuss it with anyoneโ€”a frightening finding when we consider how important a conversation about sexual misconduct is for the men in our lives.

In the survey, which used digital insight company Toluna, over 1,100 men were anonymously interviewed, revealing a broad range of responses to the impact and importance of calling out sexual abusers and predatory behavior. Among the findings:

Men who had discussed #MeToo were more likely to have talked about it with other men, specifically male friends (38 percent) or male family (33 percent). Only 31 percent had discussed #MeToo with female friends, while 24 percent said that theyโ€™d discussed it with female family members.

38 percent of men said that #MeToo has made them re-evaluate their past sexual experiences, with younger men being more likely to do so.

84 percent of men expressed concern that sexual-misconduct accusations could jeopardize the reputations of innocent men.

77 percent of men surveyed felt it necessary to confirm consent during each stage of a sexual encounter.

4 out of 5 men agreed with a zero-tolerance policy for all types of sexual harassment.

68 percent of men agreed that the #MeToo movement could improve equality in the workplace.

While thereโ€™s clearly significant work to be done in improving communication with men about the myriad issues that make the #MeToo movementโ€”and their active participation in itโ€”imperative, itโ€™s encouraging that a majority of men are re-evaluating their behavior, placing a high value on consent, and expressing support for equality and safety in the workplace.

The Glow Up tip: More data from the survey and information about the #MeToo movement is available at glamour.com/metoo.

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