Masculinity has never been more hotly debated, with social media and pop culture splitting opinion—from toxic traits to the rise of positive and healthy male role models- what does it mean to be a young man today?
This is a hugely powerful conversation that is needed to untangle the pressures and expectations facing men and boys now—exploring misogyny, identity, stereotypes, mental health, education, and feminism. There is a need to challenge outdated narratives and redefine what masculinity should be in an ideal world, which not only supports boys to become young men with positive mental health and masculinity, but is as relevant in the prevention agenda around violence against women and girls.
The Foundation are delighted to be able to announce our new, first of its kind programme,” Positive Masculinity “ for year 5/6 boys for Primary Schools in York. This initiative has been created and designed, as a result of discussions with local teachers and funding sought from the National League Trust for us to be able to offer 10 Primary Schools the opportunity to access this programme for FREE.
The programme has been structured to promote conversation and healthy debate about what it means to be a man in today’s world. For lots of boys that are either lacking positive males role models at home or for those who are turning to social media and the online world for direction, the answer to ‘what it means to be a man’ can sometime be hard or very distorted.
The Department for Education (DfE) recently warned that misogynistic attitudes had reached “epidemic scale” among young people, with 54 per cent of those aged 11-19 saying they had witnessed misogynist comments. The government’s key intervention has been the publication of new guidance for new school lessons to tackle misogyny as a commitment to provision of positive role models for boys and avoiding “stigmatising or perpetuating harmful stereotypes about boys”.
Paula Stainton, Foundation Manager, said, “Our 6 week programme has been designed with this in mind, and has been structured to promote conversation and healthy debate about what it means to be a man in today’s world, whilst providing positive male role models from York City Foundation.
Whilst our programme is new, and this is the first time it has been delivered this way, the initial full day of activity is a tried and tested concept created and led by Richard Pomfrett, the Owner and Head of Delivery for The Stay Safe Initiative Project that has been delivered in Primary and Secondary Schools in the South of England where he has built his business.”
For local schools who are interested in finding out more, please get in touch with the Foundation via [email protected] as they anticipate this will be book up fast and is only available for January or March start.