The article Inside the Movement to Reprogram Masculinity is a treasure trove of ideas and information around toxic masculinity.
It starts by sharing Nathan’s story, a football loving liberal who is shaken when one day he pushes his step-daughter during an argument. He discovers the ManKind Project. Described as: “The ManKind Project is part of a nationwide genre of classes and programs—run by gender researchers, social justice groups, NGOs, and artists—that have come to be known as the “health masculinities movement,” a grassroots effort to reshape the way men define and embody manhood in order to curb the problems its more toxic expressions can create. And while that often starts with curbing anger and aggression, it typically comes to encompass far more.”
You can read about “Healthy Masculinities Movement” in: You haven’t heard of this Masculinity Movement, But it’s exactly what men need right now.“
Other initiatives and literature discussed in the article include:
Collective Action for Safe Spaces
Daniel Crook’s classes
The Psychology of Men and Masculinities
One of the men interviewed says: “It’s all about planting seeds, little by little. You can’t change the world overnight. But if you can make one guy’s life healthier and more positive, you make two; four; eight; 16 and so on better. It’s an additive effect that’s making a real difference.”
Another says: “A wealth of research also shows that men who subscribe to gender roles that favor male dominance, entitlement, and emotional repression are more likely to suffer from untreated mental illness.”
Yet another: “Progressive masculinity is about being in touch with your emotions and not being afraid to be vulnerable.”
And another: “It was very clear to me that they were acting this way to fall in line with what they thought men should be like.”
Plant a seed today and check-out these movements, our boys -and girls- are counting on us.
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