Much research and thinking on adolescent boys focuses on the negative
aspects of their behaviour such as violence, delinquency, callous
attitudes towards young women and unsafe practices. What can we learn
from research on the differences of socialisation of young men with
more gender equitable attitudes and behaviour?
Building on an initial study in 1999 by the Instituto Promundo in Rio
de Janeiro, a one-year qualitative research project was carried out
with a group of young men, some of whom were identified as having a
higher degree of gender equitable behaviour and attitudes towards
young women. 25 young men aged 15-21 from a low-income urban setting
participated in the project. In general, male involvement in
reproductive health and child care is limited; men generally feel
that they are entitled to sex from women; tolerance of violence
against women is fairly widespread.
Although very few of the young men interviewed achieved all four
characteristics below, the term 'gender equitable' refers to young
men who:
* are respectful in their relationships with young women and seek
relationships based on equality and intimacy rather than sexual
conquest
* seek to be involved fathers - those who were already fathers
believed they should take financial and at least responsibility
for the care of their children
* assume some responsibility for reproductive health issues and do
not use violence against women in their intimate relationships
* are opposed to violence against women.
The research aimed to identify factors at three levels � that of the
individual, the family and the wider social setting. It was clear
that some of the young men interviewed possessed more gender
equitable attitudes than others:
* They had self-reflective abilities and an ability to see the cost
of traditional masculinities.
* They had vocational and cultural competencies that buffer
traditional masculinities.
* Adults associated with the boys offered alternative masculine
roles.
* Their families intervened when faced with men's domestic violence
or rejected it outright.
* The young men had access to a more gender equitable male peer
group.
In response to the research, a programme was developed to promote the
attitudes and behaviours described above, including some of the
original research subjects. For example, group discussions about life
histories were held to help the young men see the 'costs' of
traditional masculinities. Courses in Afro-Brazilian dance, computing
and health promotion aimed to encourage vocational and cultural
competencies. Community awareness raising about domestic violence
targeted men and women whilst group formation was initiated and
encouraged.
In terms of programme development, education and counselling, there
is a need to:
* promote public awareness of gender equity at seminars, at the
macro-policy level, and to form alliances with similar
organisations
* encourage gender equity among young men and the people they
associate with: families, girlfriends, community organisations,
schools, adults all represent or reinforce gender inequity at
different levels
* overcome institutional barriers to working with young men on
issues related to sexuality, reproductive health and gender
* challenge institutional resistance to working with young men and
preconceived notions of young men as disruptive or aggressive
* encourage adult men to act as mentors and positive role models
* provide spaces where young men can learn new cultural and
vocational skills and find meaningful, social identities
* for therapists, counsellors and educators to view boys as having
potential, rather than being seen as 'walking deficits', to
listen and encourage boys to talk about issues that too often
remain hidden.
Marcos Nascimento
Instituto PROMUNDO
Rua Francisco Serrador 2/702
Rio de Janeiro RJ 20031-060
Brazil
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