Growing up, boys and young men are often presented with an
ideal of masculinity that is defined by very rigid characteristics:
strength, aggression, dominance, etc. They are presented with some variation of this ideal masculinity in their families, at school amongst their peers, in their neighborhoods, and in the media.
Over time, these boys can find themselves socially and psychologically constrained in their ability to express who they really are. They learn that characteristics such as being compassionate, empathetic, or even asking for help, are not considered “manly.” They struggle with openly communicating their emotional needs, making it difficult to truly connect with others, or with themselves.
Additionally, these boys often learn to embrace unhealthy concepts around what a relationship should look like. They normalize harmful dynamics and behaviors because it's what was modeled for them by the men in their lives, by their peers, by the media, etc., and they end up hurting the very people they claim to care about.
We created our Liberated Hijos workshop to have a much-needed conversation about the responsibility that comes with raising sons in today’s world. In this workshop, we will discuss how to help our boys challenge harmful conceptualizations of what it means to “be a man,” encouraging them to become their full authentic selves in the process. We will also discuss the role that we have in helping our boys learn to honor and respect girls and women everywhere, helping to end cycles of violence in our familias.
Learning Objectives
Deconstruct stereotypes around masculinity, examining the roots of these stereotypes and the impact that they can have on boys and young men.
Understanding the importance of helping boys to develop their emotional intelligence, recognizing how unhealthy conceptualizations of masculinity can limit our ability to effectively communicate our emotions.
Examine the influence of media (TV, music, movies, social media, etc.) as well as peers in shaping our boys’ view of what it means to be “real men”.
Reflect on the ways that boys and young men have been socialized to view girls and women, challenging the normalization of violence against women.
Engage in community with parents, educators, and caregivers to discuss how we can collectively create a culture that encourages healthy masculinity for boys and young men.
If you’re not in a position to purchase this Workshop, please remember that no one will be turned away for lack of funds. If cost is a barrier for you, please email us at info@latinxparenting.org
