Masculinity

  Body Image The bodies of girls and boys are often depicted in stereotypical and sexist ways in the media. Films, videos and advertising feature slim, toned bodies devoid of imperfections. These images are usually touched up, however, using special software, and present an unrealistic or unhealthy body image. Because they promote only one model of beauty, these images can lead to many psychological, physiological and interpersonal problems for young people. And even if they affect girls and boys differently, the main consequence is basically the same for both: they become dissatisfied with how they look. While girls generally want to slim down, boys tend to focus on achieving increased muscle mass. To learn more about how the media affects young people’s development, go to the  Effects of Hypersexualization  page. Development of a body image Developing a healthy body image is essential for good physical and mental health. Here are some factors that positively or negative...

Center for Fatherhood and Family Dynamics The Center for Fatherhood and Family Dynamics is a reource for any man who is or wants to be, an effective father; to identify and tap into his hidden strengths for his own benefit, and that of his family and community.   Serving Fathers... Through our Fatherhood Resource Center hotline - a repository of information regarding fathering, family strengthening, resources and support, especially with often frustrating legal issues involving paternity, child support, and custoday arrangements. By developing mutually negotiated service plans that define functional outcomes, goals and objectives for work that will increase family capacities and reduce neglect. With a combination of community-based crisis intervention, problem-solving, and cognitive and behavioral strategies with individuals, families and groups to build on strengths and address the concrete and dynamic elements of the way they behave. Reources for Practitioners We offer staff trai...

How to have a good work-life balance What does work-life balance mean? Healthy work-life balance refers to maintaining a harmonious relationship between your work and personal life. It involves consciously managing your time and energy to meet both professional and personal commitments while prioritizing self-care and well-being.  In an ideal world, this line of thinking goes: after work, we’re able to spend time on things that nourish us as people. This could involve spending time with friends and family or engaging in a hobby. Some characteristics of a healthy work-life balance may include: Setting boundaries : This involves establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life by defining specific working hours and separating work-related tasks from personal activities. Time management: Efficiently organizing and prioritizing tasks, ensuring that you allocate enough time for work responsibilities as well as personal pursuits, such as spending time with family, engaging in...

  Men and emotions Our emotional state often dictates how we behave. Men often feel they need to be self-reliant and provide for their loved ones, so it is not appropriate to express their emotions. Here MensLine Australia challenges that notion offering advice on how you can talk about your emotions openly and freely. The four basic emotions It is helpful to think in terms of four basic human emotions: Sadness Anger Happiness Fear. Of these four emotions, happiness is considered the most acceptable in society. Yet anger, fear and sadness are universally felt by everyone. These emotions serve valuable purposes and are normal responses to threat and loss. As emotions such as fear and sadness are generally not as accepted, men might try to hide these from themselves and those around them. They feel that they should be able to cope on their own. Individuals might try to cope with ‘negative’ emotions in one or more of the following ways: Withdrawing from family and friends Working long...