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SUMMARY This paper explores the negative impact of sexism on both women and men and considers what active part men can play in challenging and undermining sexism. The costs of living and working in a patriarchal society are outlined, and related to the differing experiences of women and men. It is argued that, although women clearly bear the brunt of sexism, gender stereotyping is not without significant costs for men. This leads us into an exploration of possible anti-sexist strategies that men can promote and implement as part of the development of anti-discriminatory and anti oppressive practice. The aim is not for men to 'colonize' or take over the struggle to achieve emancipation from oppressive gender norms. Rather, it is for men to play a part in the collective struggle to remove the inhumanity of patriarchal social relations. The paper is grounded within a professional value base premissed on a commitment to combating discrimination and oppression, and within a theory base informed by existentialist philosophy (Thompson, 1992a). The development of the Women's Movement played a major part in rais ing levels of awareness of the significance of gender in society and the extensive inequalities between the sexes in terms of the distribution of life-chances, opportunities and power. With historical roots in the suffra gette movement, women have increasingly become involved in political matters—for example the peace movement—and, more broadly, cam paigns to address inequality and oppression. This has led to a growth of interest in gender issues and the availability of women's studies as a sub ject for academic debate and study. However, what was not always appreciated was the inter-relationship of women's issues and 'men's