I feel energy around the subject of men, and young boys.
I feel it in me and I feel it outside of me - in others, online, in the world:
The Centre for Social Justice published a report called Lost Boys, painting a bleak picture of the world for boys and young men in education, employment and more.
Hard as Nails campaign launches on Sky News
Steven Bartlett shared the Lost Boys report on his social media (a good sign of a topic going mainstream)
Adolescence TV show released highlighting knife crime in young boys and showing how many different parties in society are accountable. Stephen Graham has publicly talked about reasons for creating the show and flooded social media with talk of young boys.
Gareth Southgate shares Richard Dimbleby lecture and centres talk around young boys, BBC article: “Boys need role models, not gaming and porn”
In the same week I’ve booked in 25 calls with men who are all leading initiatives to support men and change the conversation for men. 1,000 Good Men.
I feel energy. I feel it in my fingertips.
The tide is turning, and rising.
A wave is about to begin. I know it. The ripples start small, but they will grow even larger.
It feels like there is more space and permission to discuss the challenges in young men and boys.
I feel this permission. In recent years I’ve not known how to step forth into this conversation I’ve felt a mix of guilt, confusion and shame. As a progressive man shouldn’t I be passive and focus on empowering others? I’ve been confused in my role as a man.
More recently, I have seen and received messages online from men and women condoning this conversation around men and boys. This has made me feel more ready to enter this space, before I was tentative - fearing judgement and backlash.
This is what is going to happen.
The movement around men and boys has just begun. Charities, men’s coaches, therapists, men’s group leaders and more have been leading on this work for years. Now - it’s about to become mainstream.
There is going to be a sea change in the next 3-5 years in how we support men and boys in our society and this is going to have ripple impacts across many aspects of our lives.
Think mental health 2016/2017. Think Mental Health First Aid, think conversations about mental health in school, in parliament - think how the culture around mental health has totally transformed. Think about the new language of therapy that is infused in popular culture now. Think about books, TV, general conversation.
This is going to happen in men and masculinity.
There will be new products, new services, new strategies, policies, influencers, role models, books, words, trends and businesses.
I have no doubt this will happen.
This happened in mental health and it is going to happen in men.
A cultural shift has begun.
Are you ready?
I am.
I’m excited.
Cheers,
James x
p.s if you want to receive writing specifically on men and men’s mental health go here.
p.p.s if you are a good man doing work in the men’s space whether founder, coach, practitioner or workplace advocate - reach out here. I’m mobilising an army of good men.
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