Do you know what positive masculinity refers to? The idea of a unique and hegemonic masculinity that prevailed for a long time has disappeared. Now, there are discussions about different ways of expressing this identity, and among them, one that encompasses healthy values and behaviors favoring the construction of more egalitarian societies is positive masculinity.

And, although mistakenly thought to undermine men to give a leading role to women, what it actually seeks is, regardless of gender, that all individuals have the same guarantees and contribute to the well-being of both individuals and communities.

How to Promote Positive Masculinity?

Beyond speeches, it is small actions that can transform societies and raise awareness about the need to leave behind harmful social norms. Below you can learn about some traits of positive masculinity and how to foster them.

1. Emotional Intelligence and Empathy

Have you ever heard that men don’t cry? This is an outdated stereotype that promotes the lack of emotional expression in men and portrays them as imperturbable beings who should not show empathy. As humans, it is important for men to feel free to express their emotions in a healthy way. Avoid stigmatizing them and encourage empathy to build healthier and more satisfying relationships.

2. Responsibility and Commitment

Positive masculinity is also related to the ability to take responsibility for one’s actions and decisions. Fostering responsibility from an early age will help shape men who are aware of the consequences of their actions and committed to the well-being of those around them.

3. Equality and Respect

Beyond a loss of power, rethinking unequal power structures is important for building relationships based on mutual respect and is essential for promoting positive masculinity. Building fairer and more egalitarian societies contributes to collective well-being.

4. Non-Violent Communication

For a long time, it was believed that men should have the final word and impose their will to maintain order in various aspects of life. However, promoting respectful communication, dialogue, and negotiation instead of verbal or physical aggression is important for resolving conflicts in a peaceful and constructive manner.

5. Self-Care and Mental Health

Regarding self-care and mental health, you may have also heard that these are signs of weakness in men, which is completely false. Therefore, positive masculinity advocates for the importance of men taking care of their personal well-being and having the freedom to seek support when needed and to face emotional and mental challenges openly.

6. Transformative Leadership

The authoritarian leadership model in which one person spoke and everyone else obeyed without question ceased to be effective a long time ago. Positive masculinity calls for men to exercise leadership with respect, based on collaboration, and focusing on collective well-being.

7. Fatherhood and Equitable Parenting

The image of a provider man who was absent from home all the time to provide food and meet the physical needs of his wife and children is a thing of the past. Positive masculinity implies that men become active, committed father figures who share parenting responsibilities for the well-being of the family unit.

Building more egalitarian societies is not a task for a few; we need everyone to come together to leave behind harmful patterns and transform the way we relate. The contribution of each individual is important to ensure collective well-being.

You may also be interested in: What are the new masculinities and why are they important?

A Collective Task

In the #YoDigoNoMas Movement, we are aware that we need to come together to positively impact our societies. By working together, we can bring knowledge, raise awareness, empower our children, stop the silent pandemic of sexual abuse, and build more egalitarian societies.

If you are not yet familiar with our Movement, we invite you to visit our digital channels and discover the actions we take and the resources we share with you to promote comprehensive sexual education and prevent sexual abuse.

Additionally, we want you to know the different ways in which you can support our mission and join our cause. A $10 donation can make a difference.