At Progressive Masculinity, we are dedicated to creating lasting cultural change within school environments. Our programs are designed to foster empathy, cooperation, and aspirational goals among students, addressing key areas critical to their development.
Aims:
Progressive Masculinity’s research informed workshop program blends engaging practical activities with open group discussions. Our facilitators deliver the 6 hour program in 2 blocks of 3 and engage boys and young men on the following topics:
This first session will explore some of the damaging stereotypes of masculinity by identifying negative influences and pressures of the unwritten ‘Man Code’ by which many of our male pupils live. A safe, non-judgemental space is created in order for the young men to feel like they can be honest and speak their minds . Central to this workshop is the question: What does being a man mean? Intersections such as LGBTQ, race, sexuality and disability are explored in relation to views on masculinity.
This session will focus on how boys and men interact with each other. Why we structure ourselves into a hierarchy and how we establish our places within that hierarchy. Key to this session are the questions: how can we keep the best aspects of male friendships, banter and culture while having the strength to avoid the pitfalls and dangers? Do I have the strength to maintain my values and sense of responsibility when part of a group?
This session will focus on how we communicate with those around us and whether our methods of verbal and non-verbal communication lead to positive or negative outcomes. By the end of the session the boys will have developed an understanding of the importance of communication and how communication can result in progress and cooperation rather than conflict. They will also be aware of the dangers of not communicating and the support available to them.
Suicide is the number one killer of 18 to 45 year old men in the UK. The reasons? They don’t know how to ask for help or are too ashamed to ask for it. (Man Up 2018)
This session will focus on how our understanding of masculinity is impacted by the digital world. What kind of men are celebrated and promoted within the online world? How does ‘influencer culture’ impact the way we see masculinity? Do we uphold the key values from our offline life when we are online? Does the anonymity and lack of accountability which comes with the online world change the way we act? Do we have the strength to be true to our values in the online world?
This session will focus on the effects our interpretations of masculinity have on those around us. What social pressures and expectations are unfairly placed on females? How can we help break these pressures and become allies for females by supporting them to be whatever they want to be? How can we become upstanders when we see sexism and misogyny in everyday life? This session was created in collaboration with many girls and women in order to make sure the female voice and perspective was represented.
This uplifting and motivational final session focuses on the kind of men, partners and fathers we aspire to be in the future. Are we on course to becoming these men? If not, what changes and adjustments can we make in order to become the kind of man we would be proud of? Examples of men who embrace an open-minded and progressive masculinity are discussed and celebrated to highlight how we can be both strong AND compassionate, successful AND selfless.
Upon the conclusion of the pupil workshops schools will be given ideas, materials and resources to help them continue the work which has been started. These include:
Please contact us if you want to learn more about Progressive Masculinity Ltd. and how we can support your institution or organisation. We are committed to helping boys and men explore and realise their masculinity’s potential, positively and inclusively.
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