Developing Positive Masculinity

Date: Thursday 04 May 2023

Establishing a new definition of healthy, positive masculinity.

Developing positive masculinity is an important aspect of men's mental wellbeing. It's important to recognize that masculinity is not a one-size-fits-all concept and that there are many ways to express it positively.

One way to develop positive masculinity is to focus on building healthy relationships with others. This can involve being open and honest about your feelings, listening actively to others, and treating others with respect and kindness.

Another way to develop positive masculinity is to challenge harmful stereotypes and expectations that can be damaging to men's mental health.

This can involve rejecting the idea that men should always be tough and stoic, and instead embracing vulnerability and emotional expression. It can also involve rejecting the idea that men should always be dominant and aggressive, and instead embracing empathy and compassion.

By developing positive masculinity, men can improve their mental wellbeing and build healthier relationships with others.

Using several theoretical foundations rooted in our understanding of social and psychological development, researchers have suggested the following three attributes that contribute to the formation of a positive masculine identity:

- Being connected. To the self and others, forming interpersonal relationships based on respect, open communication, and non-violence.
- Being motivated. Intrinsic motivation to engage with and contribute effectively to society beyond social pressures.
- Being authentic. Comfort in enacting commitment to one’s values. Capacity to adopt flexibility around the emotional restriction and stoicism in help-seeking.

These principles can give men a framework that moves us toward a greater sense of our positive masculinity and is useful at any age.

Learn more about establishing a new definition of healthy, positive masculinity via this link.