Issues of masculinity and social cohesion: a critical review of programs for young men.
Gendered violence has led to the development of community based programs designed to support men and boys to adopt more respectful and inclusive attitudes and behaviours. While most programs are positive in supporting these goals, they can differ markedly in their political approach. Approaches may range from intersectional, critical and feminist-informed, to an uncritical celebration of essentialised maleness. These different approaches can have varying implications for social cohesion and social justice.
The project will evaluate existing community-based programs in Victoria designed to support young men to adopt pro-social behaviours. It will explore:
How programs understand masculinities, gender, violence and inclusion in their work with men and boys
How these understandings of masculinities, gender, violence and inclusion reflect the principles of social inclusion and social justice
The key enabling and constraining factors of these programs towards realising the goals of social cohesion and gender justice.
Who’s Involved?
Deakin University
QUT
HealthWest
The Project So Far
Interviews with 20 program leaders resulting in:
a review on intersectionality and gender transformative programs
a critical stocktake of the 20 programs reviewied
Developing case studies with 5 programs, including interviews with facilitators and participants)
Developing resources with recommendations
Project Issue Paper and Assessment Tool
Other Project Resources
A Critical Stocktake of Community-Based Healthy Masculinities Programs in Victoria, Australia
Flood, M., Hewson-Munro, S., & Keddie, A. (2024). A Critical Stocktake of Community-Based Healthy Masculinities Programs in Victoria, Australia. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10608265241249941
‘Programmes for boys and men: possibilities for gender transformation’,
Amanda Keddie, Shelley Hewson-Munro, Anna Halafoff, Maria Delaney & Michael Flood (2023) Programmes for boys and men: possibilities for gender transformation, Gender and Education, 35:3, 250-266, DOI: 10.1080/09540253.2022.2147670
‘The sooner, the better’: Why young boys need to be taught about consent, Dr Michael Flood (QUT), SBS The Feed,
Understanding and addressing gender-based violence: an Australian Indigenous approach
Amanda Keddie, Maria Delaney, Ben McVeigh & Jaylon Thorpe (2021) Understanding and addressing gender-based violence: an Australian Indigenous approach, Journal of Gender Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09589236.2021.2016383Intersectionality and social justice in programs for boys and men
Amanda Keddie, Michael Flood & Shelley Hewson-Munro (2022): Intersectionality and social justice in programs for boys and men, NORMA, DOI: 10.1080/18902138.2022.2026684The Affective Intensities of Masculinity in Shaping Gendered Experience: From Little Boys, Big Boys Grow. Amanda Keddie