Changing what it means to ‘become a man’: participants’ reflections on a school-based programme to redefine masculinity in the Balkans

Abstract

Calls to engage men and boys in efforts to promote health, prevent violence and advance gender equality have grown in recent years. However, there remains little evidence or reflection on how most effectively to change harmful norms related to masculinity. The study addresses this gap by exploring the perspectives of participants in the Young Men Initiative (YMI), an innovative programme that aimed to promote healthier masculinities among boys attending vocational high schools in several Balkan countries through educational workshops, residential retreats and a social marketing campaign. Qualitative data were collected through 37 in-depth interviews and 11 focus-group discussions with boys, youth facilitators and teachers. Findings from four schools (in Belgrade, Sarajevo, Prishtina and Zagreb) suggest that several elements of the programme resonated strongly with participants and supported their meaningful engagement in project activities. Five themes emerged as most salient in identifying how and why specific aspects of YMI positively influenced participants: personal reflection, experience-based learning, connections with youth facilitators, new peer groups and aspirational messaging. Building on these insights, the study highlights potentially useful strategies for other programmes seeking to reach boys and transform their understanding of masculinity.

Developing young men’s wellbeing through community and school-based programs: A systematic review

“…The focus for all four gender-transformative programs was the development of healthy masculine identity [37, 40, 44, 47]. Specifically, the ‘Rock and Water Program’ (RWP) focussed on challenging masculine stereotypes of aggression by linking physical exercises to mental and social skills [37], ‘The Council for Boys and Young Men’ (The Council) intervention aimed to encourage solidarity amongst young men, question maladaptive stereotypes, and recognise strengths and collective responsibilities [40], the ‘Young Men Initiative’ (YMI) provoked critical reflection of gendered norms and the impact of gender discrimination to reshape what it means to ‘become a man’ [44], lastly, ‘The Rite Journey’ (TRJ) program implemented traditional ‘rite of passage’ notions–separation from community, learning, and return to community–to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood [47]. Each program consisted of multiple components, including psychoeducation, outdoor adventure, physical activities, team-based games, and collaborative discussion.…”

Prevalence and determinants of sunbed use in thirty European countries: data from the Euromelanoma skin cancer prevention campaign

“…This might have reinforced the differences between men and women, including social norms about body appearance. Since the view of masculinity has recently become less unbalanced among Balkan young generations, we speculate that sunbed use in the Balkan Peninsula will become more even across gender in the future. Conversely, the female predominance in sunbed use was less pronounced in Denmark, Switzerland and Norway.…”

Constructing, reproducing and challenging masculinities in a participatory intervention in urban informal settlements in South Africa

“…A small number of studies have touched upon the role of facilitators' masculinities in the delivery of interventions. Namy et al (2015) describe how facilitators provided 'aspirational' masculinities that participants wanted to emulate. Schroer-Hippel (2017) in her comparative study of three peacebuilding interventions in the former Yugoslavia, which integrated elements of 'transforming masculinities', noted that only certain aspects of dominant masculinity were problematised as part of the interventions, while others such as assumed heterosexuality, sexual virility and gun ownership were left untouched, or even celebrated, to ease the process of change for men.…”