PRESS RELEASE
Contact: G. Lawrence DeMarco, LLM
Email: ldemarco@menandboys.net
Phone: +1-215-901-1930
Restoring Respect Between Men and Women Requires Culture Change—and Concrete Policy
February 19, 2026 — A growing body of commentary and research points to an urgent conclusion: Restoring respect between men and women is a necessary prerequisite for healthier relationships, safer communities, and stronger families in modern-day America.
In a recent essay, Dr. Gilda Carle argues that modern “status policing” in dating culture can punish women for pursuing love, marriage, or family aspirations, while also driving men to disengage rather than risk conflict and humiliation. (1) The result is not empowerment, but mutual suspicion.
A complementary theme appears in Lisa Britton’s reporting on Dr. Warren Farrell’s “Role Mate to Soul Mate” method: respect and trust are rebuilt by learning skills that make commitment viable—listening without defensiveness, practicing consistent appreciation, and using structured routines to resolve conflict before resentment hardens (2). In this view, respect is not a slogan; it is a repeatable practice.
Child custody law should reinforce conflict de-escalation by presuming “equal shared parenting” where safe and appropriate, reducing incentives for high-conflict litigation and helping separated families rebuild trust and respect (3).
That practice becomes more difficult when young men feel socially disposable. In a high-profile discussion, Oprah Winfrey and Scott Galloway describe rising male loneliness and the erosion of real-world “third spaces,” warning that can turn men and women into adversaries instead of partners (4). Restoring respect, therefore, also requires restoring community, mentorship, and pathways to meaningful work.
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, a Conference on the State of Women and Family will be held in New York City (5). The Conference will take place in conjunction with the UN’s annual Commission on the Status of Women event.
The Conference will be held at the Lebanese American University, 211 E. 46th Street, between Second and Third Avenues.
The International Council for Men and Boys has been invited to make a presentation, 9:55 to 11:10 am, on “Restoring Trust and Respect Between Men and Women.” The presenters will include Edward Bartlett, Teresa Snead, Andre Rainey, Gilda Carle, and Larry DeMarco.
Members of the media are invited to attend the event.
The International Council for Men and Boys is a non-governmental organization that is working to celebrate the contributions of men to society and to end the 12 disparities that affect men and boys around the world. Achieving #GenderEqualityForMen will also benefit women.
Links:
(1) https://amgreatness.com/2026/02/11/aretha-knew-r-e-s-p-e-c-t-rules/
(2) https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/the-life-changing-relationship-advice-women-aren-t-being-given-anymore
(3) https://www.menandboys.net/parenting/
(4) https://singjupost.com/why-young-men-are-struggling-right-now-with-oprah-scott-galloway-transcript/
(5) https://www.menandboys.net/pr/icmb-invites-un-missions-to-support-march-12-restoring-trust-and-respect-between-men-and-women-event/