'
‘Men deserve to be more than providers’: how navigate men through modern masculinity?
International

‘Men deserve to be more than providers’: how navigate men through modern masculinity?

author
6 minutes, 53 seconds Read

More than 50 years ago, the women’s liberation movement reformed the expectations of femininity of society. While the comments about ‘poisonous masculinity’ continues today, insight requires whether men should be freed from traditional masculinity. View the episode of the Male Liberation at 8.30 pm on SBS or on SBS on request.
Geoff Devereaux, who works in the Domestic violence spacesays when he has asked groups of men what it is to be a good father, “provider” is often the first – and the last – word on the list.
“That is often where that list tends to stop,” Geoff said in Insight.
Geoff helps his seven -year -old stepson with his homework. He takes care of his baby son and takes turns the bedtime routine With his wife, who works night shifts. But he believes that society often does not allow men to be bothered.
“Men deserve to be more than providers. We deserve … the chance to be more than that,” he said.

“[It’s] Also about us who work on ourselves, have healthier ties with our families. “

Geoff said that his father was a healthy male role model growing up for him. Nevertheless, social reports about what a man should be ‘still forms his behavior.
“When I feel insecure … I will raise the fact that I train in Krav Maga-as a way to prove that I am male, by training in self-defense,” he said.

“Unconsciously, I have linked masculinity to violence.”

‘The world did not crash and burn’

Just like Geoff, Harry Garside started a contact sport to be ‘better’ in accordance with traditional representations of masculinity.
“What do you see in films? Do you see men fighting. They save the world; they are doing these wild things,” said Harry.
“I think that are so soft and not like my brothers – not fearless … I initially started boxing to look more like them … I felt pretty insecure, and I didn’t really know.”

The youngest of three boys, Harry was nine when he started boxing.

Harry Garside after a boxing match in 2015. Source: Delivered

The Olympic bronze medal winner, 28, says that since then the sport has given him the confidence to explore himself in his adult life – including a period of dressing in more traditional female clothing.

He also credits a youth program in which he participated as a teenager, and his nail painting activity, for shifting his mindset.
“It was a fairly unique experience, because I think I was a boy who was exactly:” What do I paint my nails for? This is nonsense. “

“But then I think we realized, when we did, the world had not changed … The world did not crash and burn. We didn’t change as people.”

A lack of male role models?

Content maker Richard Jackson does not think that strong social expectations about what men should be ‘is a bad thing. He believes that there is too many “conflicting messages” around the subject.
“The blueprint … used to be the clear ‘provider protector’. A strong, stoic [man]”Richard Insight told.

“While nowadays there are many parts of society that say that this should be waived – or it is no longer useful.”

A young man with a shaved head, eyebrow split and face hair in a black jacket stands for bushes

Richard believes that young men want more role models. Source: Delivered

Richard, whose separation of parents influenced how he regards masculinity, largely credits social media as his education for understanding what a good man means.

The 31-year-old quotes the Canadian author Jordan Peterson and British American influencer Andrew Tate As important people who have taught him about masculinity.
“I think they are looking for role models for many young boys. And they find their way in the digital atmosphere and see what resonates,” said Richard.
“… I think there is a great desire in the space for a clear direction.”

Some criticize Jordan Peterson for his right -wing views on political correctness, gender identity and climate change. Tate will be tried in the UK in June 2026 on several charges, including rape and human trafficking; He denies all the allegations that are made against him.

‘A request for men to change their behavior’

Macquarie University Historian Leigh Boucher says that despite the fact that some people describe the provider or protection roles as “traditional male”, social ideals of masculinity still change.
“Over time, someone always says in every period:” Remember when we used to know how to be men? “Boucher said in Insight.

“So the idea of ‘tradition’ is actually an idea that we often use to make a statement about what we want.”

A middle -aged man with a brown beard and hair in a stripey collared shirt smile at the camera, autumn leaves are in the background

Leigh says that Queer helped him understand what it means to be a man. Source: Delivered

Boucher feels part of the discussion that takes place today around masculinity, stems from social changes in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“If we understand the liberation movement of the women … As a kind of mass movement to transform the lives of women … We could say that that was also a request for men to change their behavior.”
The academic academic academic that the conversation was more about women for a good reason and that men’s request was not really part of the regular cultural political conversation.

Boucher believes that it took time for society to “register that if we take the project of gender equality seriously, this means that men might think, talk, work, consider, consider and change”.

Australian men have less chance than Australian women to seek professional help for their mental health. Only 12.9 percent of men – compared to 21.6 percent of women – have access to mental health care between 2020 and 2022 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Boucher believes that becoming comfortable with vulnerability and tenderness is the key to explore the full range of masculinity. This is something that he believes his queerness helped him.
“If you grow up as a young man who experiences the desire for other men, let you ask questions.” Oh shit, what is this masculinity shit? “
“That is actually open worlds and ways of thinking for me that I am incredibly grateful for.”
For comparison: Leigh believes that heterosexual men guard their behavior – especially about physical contact and affection.

“Being queer means that there are many more spaces where you are getting tender and it is not a risk,” he said.

Authentic life as men

As a naturally affectionate man, Geoff says that he knows the judgment where Boucher spoke about openly tender in public.
He remembered an older teacher evening where his stepson came up and “put his arms around my neck and kissed me on the cheek before he started playing”.
“I clearly remember the really clear look of disapproval of another of the fathers there was,” he said.

Experience has not changed Geoff’s behavior. He says that his home is a place where “I love you and hugs and hugs are released”.

A father is in bed in bed with a baby and a young boy

Geoff with his son and stepson. Source: Delivered

Likewise, his hope for Harry is that everyone lives as authentically as possible as they can.

“Young people – before they go to school – are so pure and just organic and authentic,” he said.
“And then the world eventually starts to shape them … we are told consistently and constantly … how to live and act.”

The Olympic boxer sees merit in qualities that are traditionally associated with masculinity, such as strength and pride, but he encourages people to explore other parts of themselves.

A young man in an expensive looking silk top of a pattern stands for a background with the iconic branding on it

Harry thinks he is very different from the 16 -year -old “Ratbag” version of himself. Source: Delivered / Hanna welding via Getty.

When asked what masculinity means to him as a 28-year-old, Harry said his beliefs always change.

“I think being a man, is on the move … I think being a man is nice if it is of service to others, something I certainly did not fully transfer to,” he said.
“If we can run the mirror on what we do for other people or we take care of ourselves, so that we can be a better person [others]Then I think the world is always a better place – regardless of whether you are a man or a woman. “
For counseling, advice and support for men with anger, relationship or upbringing problems, call the men’s referral service at 1300 766 491.
Contact crisis and mental health care contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Healthy Australia (1800 187 263) or 13YARN (139 276), A 24/7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Crisis Support Line.

#Men #deserve #providers #navigate #men #modern #masculinity

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *