Provider, guardian, hero – cultural changes have been loosening these narrow roles for men, right? Maybe not as much as we think. New research on attitudes in the United States, United Kingdom, and Mexico finds most men still feeling pushed to live in the “Man Box,” a rigid construct of cultural ideas about male identity. Join Equimundo and partners at USIP on March 30 to discuss what these findings mean for men, women, and the prospects for peaceful societies.
We know that the Man Box impacts men’s everyday lives and relationships: encouraging them to be aggressive, repress emotions, and to isolate themselves. This new research helps fill in this still poorly understood picture: Just how do gender expectations such as the Man Box lay foundations for isolation in men’s own lives, within relationships, and in society, and what can we do to change them?
An example of the findings: 59 percent of men in Mexico and 64 percent in the United Kingdom said society tells them men should act outwardly strong even when they feel scared or nervous inside. That perception was strongest in the United States, where 75 percent agreed. The new data may challenge stereotypes and suggest specific areas for new work.
The research was led by Equimundo and supported by Axe, the leading male grooming brand of Unilever, as part of its mission to help men around the world break out of the Man Box.
Join the report’s authors from Equimundo alongside USIP experts, advocates, academics, and Axe.
Event Information:
When:
Thursday, March 30
3:00pm – 5:00pm EDT
Reception to follow.
Where:
United States Institute of Peace (USIP)
2301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
Frank C. Carlucci III Auditorium
Speakers:
- Gary Barker, President & CEO, Equimundo
- Brian Heilman, Fellow, Equimundo
- Darius Kemp, Director of Mobilization, The Representation Project
- Kathleen Kuehnast, Director of Gender Policy and Strategy, USIP
-
Michael C. Reichert, Executive Director, Center for the Study of Boys’ and Girls’ Lives; Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania
- Rik Strubel, Global Vice President, Axe
- Yahir Zavaleta Rocha, Executive Director, HIV Young Leaders Fund & Board Member, Equimundo
RSVP online here.
Watch the livestream here.
Learn more about the report here.
