Hidden Brian examines the existing definition of “masculinity.” They speak to a man who works in a field often considered “women’s work” and a researcher who manhood is “hard to earn and easy to lose.” Hear it here.
Man Up: How a Fear of Appearing Feminine Restricts Men, and Affects Us All.
Are sexual assault and harassment allegations being taken more seriously than in previous decades? Hidden Brain examines “why now?”, what has changed in our culture?
Please note, this story includes descriptions of sexual harassment and assault and may not be suitable for all listeners.
The Psychological Forces Behind A Cultural Reckoning: Understanding #Metoo
At our June 2017 summit, keynote speaker Niobe Way, discussed the great importance in supporting boys’ relationship. This article reinforces this and explains that boys’ friendships are not just fun but could lead to better health in adulthood. This article provides tips to parents on how to help children with their friendships.
In a new poll, girls say they feel empowered, except when it comes to being judged on how they look. Boys still feel they have to be strong, athletic and stoic. Claire Cain Miller examines how gender rules affect boys and girls in this NY Times article.
Many Ways to Be a Girl, but One Way to Be a Boy: The New Gender Rules
Rigid masculinity leads to numerous negative outcomes experienced by men and boys. In this report, Promundo explores the connection between masculine norms and violence.
In her latest post, DAME contributor Andrea Grimes confronts the media’s portrayals of the causes of boys’ violence. She writes, “…weaponized misogyny and male entitlement [are] the hallmarks of a culture of toxic masculinity that teaches boys and men that they are owed the time and bodies of girls and women… that boys will be boys, and girls will soothe and accommodate.”
This article in the NYTimes highlights the sad reality so many young men face– appearing emotive is hazardous, but appearing to work hard in school would be a social disaster. Could this pressure help explain why boys are falling behind in school? When Andrew Reiner asked one of his male students why he didn’t openly worry about grades the way many of his female classmates did, the student responded, “Nothing’s worse for a guy than looking like a Try Hard.”
In the wake of yet another tragic act of violence against women – van plows through busy Toronto sidewalk – this New York Times column makes a compelling case for changing the way we raise boys.
“The truth is that in addition to not protecting women, we are failing boys: failing to raise them to believe they can be men without inflicting pain on others, failing to teach them that they are not entitled to women’s sexual attention …” Click link for full article.
This article, from the Irish publication, Independent, aims to start an open conversation about what boys really need.
