Young Men and Boys and the Culture that Corrodes Them
As part of an ongoing research process, Story Strategy Group in early 2024 commissioned Worthy Strategy on how young men and boys coming of age today might be vulnerable to right-wing recruitment strategies based on a narrative of male victimization. Through in-depth research across academic disciplines and interviews with over a dozen experts, Worthy’s study sought to identify what affirming scripts — ones that could counter oppressive scripts of misogyny, white supremacy, male supremacy, homophobia or transphobia — might look like for young men and boys.
The following is an overview of seven identified narrative vulnerabilities or voids, and suggestions, based on research, of how these might be filled with effective, affirming narratives. (Worthy notes that while our assignment was to look exclusively at young men and boys, many of the cultural voids and affirmations we cite have potential impacts on all people.)
- There is an absence — especially highlighted by psychologists — of affirming coming-of-age rituals that center consent alongside the building of meaning and belonging.
For example, many fraternity hazing rituals not only focus on depriving others of consent (especially women) but also the young men being hazed of their own right to consent. Boys and men, like all humans, need to feel a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose in order to flourish. There is an opportunity to reimagine positive coming-of-age rituals, centered around consent and self-awareness, providing young men with a sense of connection to self and others.
“Young men need something to aspire to — It’s motivating,” shared Steve Baskin, founder of Camp Champions, a youth camp designed to build young boys and men into “champions in life — [who] pursue big dreams and make a difference in the world around them.”
2. Young men and boys are being siloed into monolithic environments that stifle individuality and expression.
Gaming, tech, pandemic-induced remote work, and the dismantling of public spaces have led to but is significantly impactful to them. These modern developments have exacerbated effects already set in place by restrictive male cultural training that rewards so-called self-sufficiency. A healthy, safe, vulnerable, and loving community for boys and men — as for women — is essential for their well-being and growth. Research suggests that can have a significant impact on mental health and overall happiness. Groups and communities that encourage vulnerability, emotional expression, and allow and celebrate individualities in men and boys, including traits that veer from traditional scripts, are needed to foster environments where boys and men feel accepted and . These types of communities need to be centered and resourced.
3. Young men and boys need to feel like they are meaningfully contributing.
In our struggle to achieve gender equality, some men have internalized the message that they are not welcome, and that their contributions are not celebrated. Diminished for quality, high-paying jobs are especially challenging to men, who have been taught that their self-worth is tied to being a “provider” — for themselves and their families.
Studies have shown that can significantly enhance self-esteem and overall well-being among men. By actively recognizing and celebrating men’s contributions and achievements — alongside those of women, not as a zero sum game — societies can empower men to fully engage in meaningful endeavors and take pride in their roles. As automation and new technologies continue to replace jobs held by humans, this must also include men embracing roles beyond mere economic providers — recognizing and celebrating their emotional contributions to their loved ones, families and communities.
4. We are not intentional about promoting healthy masculinity.
Even as we criticize traditional masculinity, a culture of male hypersexualization and dehumanization — of themselves and others — is still the norm. Deviation from traditional gender stereotypes or “approved” behaviors is met with punishing . This leaves men adrift: they cannot follow a traditional model of masculinity that has been disavowed, but their behavior is heavily policed if they try to act in new ways.
Presenting emotionality, connection, and vulnerability as integral aspects of masculinity is crucial for the holistic well-being of boys and men.
The old ways of being a man, the old ways of manhood, the western ways of being a man…are cowardice,” explained Philip Agnew, the founder of Black Men Build. “They are insufficient. They are death dealing. They are so stifling. They are suffocating … We say that strength is in vulnerability. Strength is in intimacy. Strength is in knowing yourself and your interior world and being open to sharing that with other people in the world.
5. There is a dearth of leaders who model positive masculinity, away from violence.
Celebrating leaders and role models who exemplify strength through collaboration and de-escalation can significantly impact societal perceptions of masculinity. A Stanford study entitled found that leaders telling a population to not commit political violence is one of the two effective ways to stop political violence.
“It’s not pure bottom up. It’s a mix of bottom up and top down,” Robert Pape at the University of Chicago told us of the importance of paying attention to political leaders as well as bad actors on the ground when it comes to understanding the mainstreaming of far right extremism, and political violence.
6. We need to humanize each other and the other side — whether the other side is a category tied to politics or gender.
Research underscores the , as it can escalate conflicts and contribute to violence.
“These online platforms, gaming platforms, dehumanize us, and then these chat rooms and internet culture, it’s removed from human interactions,” explained Sarah Johnson, founder of The Akin, a global consumer research and strategy studio. “The thing they have in common is they’re dehumanizing people, women particularly, but even the men in it.”
Fostering and celebrating a less othering world, where we acknowledge and respect each other’s humanity, is essential for building inclusive and peaceful societies.
7. For better, humanizing dialogue and connection, we need to grapple with, and regulate tech.
Our contemporary tech and media platforms have evolved into engines that thrive on the cultivation and amplification of destructive emotions, including anger, aggression, and partisanship. Research has shown that the algorithms powering social media platforms , often at the expense of accuracy and nuance.
Further how sensationalism dominates the digital landscape, with headlines crafted to provoke extreme emotional responses rather than understanding or dialogue. This is reflected across all media platforms.
This is even more dangerous on social media platforms that are currently protected by so-called , underscoring the clear need for scrutiny and reform.
Brian Boland, a co-founder of the Delta Fund and former Facebook employee explained that social media was not responsible for starting a problem, but it was responsible for amplifying it. “I think digital gets a lot of blame for creating things, and I think it’s more of the gasoline on the fire than the creation of the fire. I think it’s a kind of situation where I would see digital and social media as the Santa Ana winds of California fires. You can have small fires and somebody else is starting ’em, and they’re not great, and they grow. But once you put the winds on those fires, you lose control completely. And so are the winds responsible or is the person who lit the fire responsible? Well, they’re kind of both playing a big role.”
Our research underscores the need for a holistic approach to counter scripts of masculinity that normalize violence and dehumanization within a shifting society. By confronting these vulnerabilities head on and advocating for positive change, we can resist the pull of extremism and build a more equitable and peaceful society for all members of future generations — regardless of gender.
