Healthy masculinities and violence prevention

"Every day we hear news stories about violence but rarely, if ever, are they linked to masculinity. It’s time to make the connection between the epidemic of men’s violence in our country and what society is teaching boys about masculinity. The traditional 'boys will be boys' mentality is beginning to change. The Obama Administration has prioritized the engagement of boys and young men in efforts to reduce violence, especially violence against women. Now, for the first time, some of the nation’s leading non-profit organizations are coming together to launch the most comprehensive effort centered on young men and healthy, non-violent masculinity in history."

This is from the Healthy Masculinity Action Project (HMAP), a US national grassroots movement to eradicate the harmful expectations and stereotypes society teaches boys about what it means to be a man. A two year initiative, HMAP aims to build a new generation of male leaders who will model strength without violence and serve as positive change makers in society – taking their communities from awareness to action.

For more information about this project, including the report from their October 2012 summit, click here.