You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity
published September 2019
In You Throw Like a Girl, former Syracuse University quarterback and NFL veteran Don McPherson examines how the narrow definition of masculinity adversely impacts women and creates many “blind spots” that hinder the healthy development of men. Dissecting the strict set of beliefs and behaviors that underpin our understanding of masculinity, he contends that we don’t raise boys to be men, we raise them not to be women.
Using examples from his own life, including his storied football career, McPherson passionately argues that viewing violence against women as a “women’s issue” not just ignores men’s culpability but conflates the toxicity of men’s violence with being male. In You Throw Like a Girl, McPherson leads us beyond the blind spots and toward solutions, analyzing how we can engage men in a sustained dialogue, with a new set of terms that are aspirational and more accurately representative of the emotional wholeness of men.
Reviews
“In You Throw Like a Girl, Don McPherson explores more than his own place in the masculine testosterone-driven world of football. He takes the societal norms and boundaries placed on so many men and…tackles the critical issues of sports, privilege, and gender that have come to define generations of athletes and transcend sports, in an effort to show us all a better way."
--Jon Frankel, correspondent, HBO's Real Sports
"This is a call to action that has the potential to provoke conversation and change, and is a unique crossover of sports memoir and astute social commentary. This timely and coherent study of gender roles is highly recommended."
--Library Journal, Starred Review
“This is a valuable contribution to the new choir of traditionally masculine men reevaluating themselves on their own terms."
--Publishers Weekly
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"Don McPherson wrestles with one of the most important questions of our time and one that we have to face head-on in today's world: what does it mean to be a man? He talks of courage, love, fatherhood, and growing up. Don's book helps us to take that journey to real masculinity, not the stereotypical and sometimes dangerous version we see on social media and in film."
--Mike Rawlings, former mayor of Dallas, Texas
Media Education Foundation Presents
You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity
THE FILM
In You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity, leading gender violence prevention educator Don McPherson, explores how limited definitions of “manhood” create “blind spots” that do untold harm to women and men alike. Drawing on examples from his storied football career and his decades of experience working with athletes, McPherson forces us to confront the deep-seated cultural roots of sexism, misogyny, and gender violence, and lays out a more positive and healthy vision of manhood. Directed by award-winning filmmakers Peter Hutchison and Lucas Sabean.
FILM REVIEWS
“Groundbreaking. A powerful resource for engaging young people—especially men—in potentially life-changing dialogue.”
— Jackson Katz | Author of The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help
"Today more than ever, young men hunger for new models of masculinity. Don McPherson, long a national leader in expanding public discussions of gender, violence, relationships and intimacy, illuminates a pathway for boys and men toward a healthy, life-enhancing and egalitarian future. You Throw Like a Girl will quickly become a foundational educational resource for high school and colleges courses, sports teams and other organizations."
— Michael Messner | University of Southern California | Co-author, Some Men: Feminist Allies and the Movement to End Violence Against Women
"Within the span of merely 36 minutes, You Throw Like A Girl examines contemporary and salient issues about masculinity. Topics such as bravery, misogyny, sexuality, toxicity, the fluidity of masculinities, and the specter of femininity are remarkably, compassionately, and sensitively covered. Perfect for classroom use to inspire critical thinking and spirited discussion about gender relations generally and masculinity in particular—I highly recommend it!"
— James W. Messerschmidt | Distinguished University Professor of Sociology at the University of Southern Maine and Author of Hegemonic Masculinity: Formulation, Reformulation, and Amplification
“Strength is being brave enough to express and live our emotions”
‘We don’t raise boys to be men, we raise them not to be women or gay men.’
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
“You Play Ball Like a Girl”