Across cultures, there are social norms about gender roles – dominant expectations of how “boys and girls” and “men and women” ought to look, act, feel, and relate to each other.  In many cultural contexts, men are taught that being a “real man” requires things such as being emotionally and physically tough; being physically sizable and able; being heterosexual; having lots of women; having power over their partner/spouse; not experiencing or fully expressing feelings such as vulnerability, sadness or fear; being able to take care of oneself and others; and being financially successful. 

Socialization regarding what it means to “be a man” often contributes to real costs for men and the people of all genders around them.  For example, many boys and men find themselves in a so-called “box,” where the range of emotions they feel they can outwardly express is limited; where sexual orientations other than heterosexuality are met with rejection and violence; where men are feminized and called ‘pussies’ and ‘fags’ if they aren’t strong enough, tough enough, or straight enough; where violence becomes a normative and necessary means to earn respect from peers; where sexual objectification of women is the norm and violence against women is acceptable.

Research around the world is finding that men’s belief in traditional masculinity ideologies is linked with many health risks and poor outcomes for people of all genders -- including men’s behaviors that increase risk of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (lack of condom use, multiple sex partners), substance abuse, attitudes that support rape, sexual and physical violence against women, violence between men, less health-care seeking (including for HIV testing), risky driving, and other harmful behaviors. Dominant or “traditional” masculinity ideals, which are often intertwined with sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia and other oppressions, are partly shaped and perpetuated by social institutions including the mainstream media.

The MSP has the philosophy that gender is socially constructed, and that just as social training about gender is taught and learned, it can be untaught and unlearned. Social norms about masculinity can be critically examined, positive and constructive traditions can be celebrated, and more peaceful ways of relating and being can be taken on.

In the public health and social justice arenas, it is increasingly recognized that working to shift gender norms in support of healthy masculinities is a productive and needed approach to improving the health and well-being of people of all genders.

In many countries around the world, critical discussion about masculinities and impacts of men’s socialization hasn’t often occurred in mainstream contexts. There are few ongoing, large-scale, visible, public forums in the U.S. and beyond where traditional masculinity ideologies are overtly examined and alternate, more health-supporting discourses supported. Through collective celebration and challenging dialogue, the MSP aims to help fill this social gap – to increase health, justice and peace.