Education
Transforming School Environments Through Progressive Masculinity
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.
Education
The Progressive Masculinity Program:
Pupil Workshops
Aims:
- To challenge regressive power and dominance-based models of masculinity.
- To explore how qualities like empathy, cooperation, compassion, and respect can be features of a 'strong' man
- To raise the pupils' self-esteem, emotional intelligence and oracy involved encouraging aspirational goals
- We aim to tap into our pupils' leadership potential and empower them to be the drivers for positive change within the school.
Education
Workshop Program Overview:
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:
1.
What is masculinity? Who am I ‘meant’ to be?
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.
2.
Hierarchy, Friendship and Banter
3.
Communication and Emotional Literacy
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)
If he can’t communicate, he can’t negotiate. If he can’t negotiate, then he can’t ask for what he wants. If he can’t get what he wants, he just grabs it. (Wilson 2013)
It is shown that girls use between 10 and 30 times more words in their primary school play. This language is mostly cooperative as opposed to the limited language used by boys which is mostly competitive. (Wilson 2013)
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.
4.
Emotional Control and Self-Regulation
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs
…then you’ll be a man my son (Rudyard Kipling)
This session will focus on recognising triggers for our anger and developing strategies to help us maintain a sense of control and encourage self-regulation. Biological and psychological factors will be discussed and role play will enable us to explore real life, high frequency situations where emotional control is needed. By the end of the session the pupils will have developed an understanding of some of the underlying reasons for their anger, the dangers of not controlling it and ‘coping and de-escalation’ techniques for when they find themselves struggling to maintain control.
5.
Masculinity in the Digital World
“The internet mirrors, magnifies and makes more visible, the good, the bad and the ugly of everyday life.” (Danah Boyd)
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?
6.
Gender Allyship
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are people” (Marie Shear)
7.
Healthy Relationships and Consent
“Treasure your relationships not your possessions” (Anthony D’Angelo)
8.
Who Do You Want To Be?
“Every man is the architect of his own fortune” (Appius)
Education
Post Program Support
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:
- Templates for pupil-created PSHCE lessons, allowing our young men to take ownership and broadcast their positive messages of masculinity, raising whole-school awareness of the issues facing them. Schools have found this to produce very engaging dialogue and debates within PSHCE lessons (amongst female pupils as well as male).
- The framework and resources for a peer support program where older pupils take on a role of responsibility, being coached to support younger pupils struggling to understand the same issues the workshop focussed on. Data tracking has shown this to be a very effective program for both parties.
Building Inclusive Workplaces with Progressive Masculinity
In addition to our work in educational settings, we also support corporate clients in developing inclusive DEI policies and promoting gender allyship in the workplace. Our programs are designed to create a healthier understanding of masculinity, ensuring that all employees feel valued and supported.
Education
Mentoring Program
Want To Know More?
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.
Please contact us if you want to learn more about how Progressive Masculinity Ltd can transform your school or workplace. We are committed to helping boys and young men explore and realise the potential of their masculinity, positively and inclusively.
