Join us for this workshop is aimed at raising awareness of masculinity narratives within the increasingly polarized/politicized culture wars. Experiential exercises will encourage participants to reflect on their own journeys of masculinity.
Participants will be asked to functionally consider a range of emerging “post-toxic” masculinity theories, such as:
Positive or Aspirational Masculinity
De-gendered Masculinity, which has outlived its usefulness and is replaced with flexible universal humanistic qualities
Neo-masculine, the traditional, potentially regressive return to conventional roles
These conversations might be uncomfortable and evocative, though we believe it is important to bring mindful attention to emerging data on men's deteriorating health, alongside a functional perspective on any “masculinity crisis” for the sake of all sexes and identities. Defused non-zero sum narratives will be prioritized in order to imagine a progressive, post “toxic” masculinity.
Educational Objectives:
Demonstrate how to incorporate emerging data on the deteriorating emotional and educational state of men into more effective prosocial work, in and out of session.
Analyze masculinity-related challenges, such as declining graduation rates, increased suicide rates, and the friendship/isolation crisis, and apply this awareness to improve the quality of life for all sexes.
Create case conceptualizations, evoking the best of what masculinity is and extinguishing the worst.
Defuse narratives of a zero sum gender game, toward one in which we all rise together.
We invite therapists, researchers, and community members alike to engage with curiosity, openness, and compassion!