Plan International releases how to guide for parents to raise boys to embrace positive masculinity

Leading girls’ rights agency Plan International Australia has today launched a guide for parents to help boys embrace healthy, positive masculinity.

The guide contains nine evidence-based tips, informed by global experts at Plan International, together with Promundo, a global leader in engaging men and boys in promoting gender equality and preventing violence, and Jesuit Social Services, a social change organisation.

The guide offers parents simple, practical tips to talk to their sons about healthy masculinity, and encourage positive beliefs and behaviours from an early age, including: how parents can use play to define positive values, challenge gender stereotypes, be clear about consent and more.

Susanne Legena, CEO of Plan International Australia, said parents could play a pivotal role in challenging harmful gender stereotypes, and encouraging positive masculinity.

“Both boys and girls are bombarded with gender stereotypes from a very early age.

“But the notion that boys and girls should look and behave in different ways has serious consequences. Gender stereotypes are a known driver of poor attitudes towards girls and women and are linked to gender-based harassment and violence in Australia and around the world, as well as depression and risk-taking among young men.

“If parents are proactive and challenging gender stereotypes early on, it can have a lasting positive impact in their children’s lives, and progress gender equality for the next generation.

“We hope these simple strategies can help parents navigate these discussions with their children.”

Matt Tyler, Executive Director of The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services, which produced the Man Box research in Australia, said: “Our Man Box research, published last year, found that two thirds of young men said that since they were a boy they had been told a ‘real man’ behaves in a certain way. Women suffer in a world where men feel pressure to be a certain kind of man – and it’s also bad for men. We found men who personally endorse stereotypical masculine norms are more likely to sexually harass women, have had recent thoughts of suicide and use or experience physical violence.”

“We all have a role to play in shaping community attitudes towards gender equality and eliminating violence against women, and this begins with promoting positive role modelling and beliefs from when children are young so that our boys are free from the expectations of what it means to be a ‘real man’ and can be their best selves.”

Plan International Australia works with boys, girls and communities around the world to embrace positive masculinity and achieve gender equality.

Nine ways to encourage healthy masculinity

1. Encourage personal expression with toys. Introduce boys to a range of toys and activities, including those that are ‘gender neutral’ and thought of as ‘for girls’.
2. Use play to define positive values. Show through role play that being able to express a range of emotions, including being afraid, or compassionate and caring is positive for both boys and girls.
3. Challenge harmful stereotypes around clothes. Encourage boys to be their authentic selves by allowing them to experiment with fashion and self expression.
4. Be clear about consent. Let boys know they have to ask permission to touch others, and they have the right to say no if they don’t want to be touched.Find media with good role models. Choose books, TV shows and media that break gender norms by showing boys and girls who have interests and emotions that challenge stereotypes.
5. Speak up when you hear disrespect. If family or friends say something problematic around your son, speak up in that moment and have a conversation about values.
6. Find positive role models. Identify role models in your family, community or media who demonstrate healthy, respectful ways to be a boy or man.
7. Talk the talk. Help boys feel supported that they won’t be judged for sharing their concerns or fears, and encourage them to empathise and connect with others.
8. Walk the walk. Challenge your own perceptions of gender roles and model behaviours you want to encourage.

About Plan International

Plan International is a leading girls’ rights agency. We champion girls’ rights because we know that there is nowhere in the world where girls are treated as equals. We work alongside children, young people, supporters and partners to tackle the root causes of injustices facing girls and the most marginalised children. Plan International works in more than 75 countries to help create a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Our local office, Plan International Australia funds programs to support children in more than 25 countries, as well as sponsorship programs across the federation.