This new initiative aims to address toxic masculinity in boyhood

A new initiative to promote positive masculinity has been launched in the UK in order to “support and respond meaningfully to the diverse experiences of boys”, alongside an academic report that states a need to “address harmful masculine norms”.

Titled ‘The State of UK Boys’, the report has been published by the Global Boyhood Initiative, which was co-founded by the Kering Foundation and Equimundo – two organisations that aim to encourage healthy masculinity among boys and thus men, in order to prevent future issues such as misogyny and violence towards women.

It states: “The report aims to shed new light and build critical understanding of boys, boyhoods and masculinities in the UK today through critical analysis of available UK and international data relating to the state of UK boys aged 4-13, alongside interviews conducted with experts in gender, masculinities, and boyhood.

“Alongside this analysis the report looks at broader questions around promoting more positive and inclusive social norms and highlighting promising approaches to changing masculinities.”

The report collects various pieces of research on boyhood and gender – spanning across topics such as mental health, aggression, ‘lad’ culture, relationships and education – ultimately finding that in order to secure a positive future for all young people, gender norms and stereotypes must be addressed from those early years.

“To continue breaking down harmful norms, we crucially need to work in partnership and dialogue with children and young people, being curious about their perspectives and experiences rather than assuming that they need to be ‘fixed’,” it reads.

“Participatory, creative and open-ended approaches are required that respect and actively engage them. Critically, as this report underscores, addressing these norms must start early, given gender socialisation is a process that begins before birth. Perhaps most importantly, we must note the potential gains for all young people, including boys, when we work together in gender-just and gender-transformative ways.”

One of the report authors and fellow of Equimundo, David Bartlett, told The Guardian: “How boys and men behave makes an enormous difference to the lives of girls and women, and individuals of all gender identities, in all areas of their lives.

“From sexual harassment and gender-based violence, to the gender pay gap and relationship breakdown, the attitudes and behaviour of boys and men are hugely influential.

“So, we need to raise a generation of boys who are able to build and sustain healthy, respectful, caring relationships with people of all genders, and not be influenced by restrictive gender stereotypes.”