Warren Farrell

Warren Thomas Farrell (born June 26, 1943) is an American author, educator, and activist best known for his writings on gender, particularly men’s issues. Initially active in the second wave feminist movement of the late 1960s and 1970s, Farrell was a board member of the National Organization for Women in New York City and authored ''The Liberated Man'' (1974), which explored how traditional gender roles constrained both men and women.  He obtained his doctorate in political science on the topic in 1974.  His role-reversal workshops in the 1970s brought him mainstream attention.  Over time, he grew critical of feminism and shifted his focus toward highlighting the disadvantages and challenges faced by men.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Farrell established himself as a leading voice in the emerging men’s movement. His books ''Why Men Are the Way They Are'' (1986) and ''The Myth of Male Power'' (1993) argued that men are systematically disadvantaged in areas such as family law, education, health, and cultural representation. Farrell contended that men, often seen as “success objects,” bore hidden costs of traditional masculinity, from hazardous work to military conscription, while facing rising cultural hostility. These writings were widely reviewed and translated.

Farrell’s later books and talks broadened into broader relationship advice and advocacy on men’s issues.  ''Women Can’t Hear What Men Don’t Say'' (1999) and ''Father and Child Reunion'' (2001) addressed communication and parenting, with Farrell calling for greater recognition of fathers as caregivers. His subsequent books, including ''Why Men Earn More'' (2005) and ''Does Feminism Discriminate Against Men?'' (2008, with James P. Sterba), continued to argue that pay disparities and gender inequalities were rooted more in life choices and systemic biases against men than in widespread discrimination against women. In ''The Boy Crisis'' (2018, with John Gray), he emphasized the effects of father absence on boys’ health, education, and well-being. His most recent work, ''Role Mate to Soul Mate'' (2024), extends his focus to couples’ communication and conflict resolution.

Farrell and his work have regularly been featured at fora associated with the men's rights movement, including conferences, websites, podcasts and he is often described as the intellectual father of the movement. Farrell himself denies the activist label. His work, on gender and his abandoned research on incest, have sparked interest, praise, criticism and controversy. Farrell has remained a prominent public speaker and commentator, advocating for what he describes as genuine gender equality by addressing the overlooked disadvantages faced by men and boys. Provided by Wikipedia