The #MeToo movement sparked a cultural shift through which harassment and violence will no longer be relegated to silence. However, sexual harassment and assault remain pervasive, and the topic, as well as what drives it, are not new. To create lasting change for our generation and the next, we need to commit to working together toward more healthy, respectful masculinities.
Explore this page to figure out what we know, how you can start the conversation, and what you can do to realize a feminist future of manhood.
Promundo has been a global leader in working toward the future of manhood in the US and with partners in over 45 countries around the world for over 20 years.
We know that globally, about 1 in 3 women will experience violence from a man in her lifetime.
We know that our culture, the way we raise boys and young men, has everything to do with what drives men’s use of harassment and violence. Many men feel pushed to live by a certain set of norms, finding themselves inside a “Man Box” that discourages emotions and vulnerability and encourages violence.
We know that we can change this. It’s crucial to understand the drivers of harmful norms around masculinity as well as what works across communities, schools, workplaces, and beyond to raise healthy, respectful men.
We know young men are ready to step up and start challenging those “Man Box” behaviors in the real world.
So let’s get started.
It’s hard to know where to begin. You want to open up the conversation — with a friend, a classmate, a student, a family member — around how harmful ideas around masculinity can lead to harassment, abuse, and a lot of other negative outcomes. Get started by watching one of these great short films below.
Promundo
The Representation Project
AXE
MenEngage Alliance
Bonobos
So now you’ve opened up a dialogue, but you’re a teacher, a coach, a parent, a community or family member and you want to do more.
Check out Manhood 2.0 — especially sessions 2, 3, and 4 — to take the conversation further.
Manhood 2.0 is a gender-transformative curriculum developed by Promundo and the University of Pittsburgh to help the young men in your life reflect and build collective support for making positive, healthy changes in their lives.
To achieve a feminist future of manhood, we need men — and everyone — to shift ideas of what it means to be a man, and to take action every day toward ending gender stereotypes and creating a more respectful, just world.
Let’s work toward a future where men are more involved, empathetic fathers, friends, and citizens; more proactive about caring for their own health and the health of others; and more engaged in achieving gender equality and preventing all harassment and violence.
Together, we can move beyond a #MeToo generation.
For questions or comments, please write contactdc@promundoglobal.org.
