Jackson Katz

Jackson Katz is a prominent American educator, author, filmmaker, and activist, best known for his groundbreaking work in gender violence prevention and men’s engagement in feminism. Born in 1960, Katz has dedicated his career to addressing issues of toxic masculinity, sexism, and the cultural roots of violence against women. He earned degrees from UMass Amherst, Harvard University, and UCLA, and is widely respected for creating the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program, one of the first major efforts to involve men in ending gender-based violence.

As an author, Katz is best known for books like The Macho Paradox and Man Enough, where he explores how rigid gender norms harm both women and men. His writing and public speaking emphasize the importance of bystander intervention, media literacy, and challenging the normalization of violent masculinity in culture. His TED Talk, “Violence against women—it's a men's issue,” has reached millions and helped reshape the conversation around gender violence as a societal issue, not just a women's issue.

Among his most powerful quotes, Jackson Katz states: “We need to challenge the social norms that equate strength with violence and silence with masculinity.” Another widely cited quote is: “Calling gender violence a women’s issue is part of the problem—it gives men an excuse not to pay attention.” These messages underscore his belief that true social change requires male accountability and collective action. Through his work, Katz continues to be a leading voice in the fight for gender equality and cultural transformation.