Data indicates that men are highly susceptible to mental health challenges, including suicide, and are also more likely to be the perpetrators of violence. However, due to dominant discourses surrounding masculinity and what it truly means to be a man, men are often trained to refrain from sharing emotions and encouraged to be aggressive. These behaviors are maladaptive, both in terms of health and social well-being, particularly when exposed to stressful factors such as unemployment and discrimination. As a result, we aim to provide programming that would provide employable skills (directly linked with mental health and indirectly linked with aggression) under ‘Building Skills and Experience’ programs. All while providing a safe space to explore oneself and deconstruct masculinity in our “Challenging Norms” programming.
SECTION 1.1 Building Skills and Experience
A. ‘How-To’ Career Building Series
This program would be similar to the women’s programming and entail a set of workshops to support men explore and enter the workforce. Workshops would include: How to Get an Apprenticeship; How to Get into Post-Secondary; How to Build Your Resume and ‘How to Ace Your Interview.’
B. Placements
Like the women’s program, men would be given the opportunity to get practical work experience (paid/unpaid) in different work settings. This may prove useful in encouraging those who otherwise felt employment opportunities for them did not exist, by allowing them to explore career options while getting actual experience.
SECTION 1.2: Challenging Norms: Exploring and Loving Oneself
A. What It Means to Be a Man
This program will focus on deconstructing notions of masculinity by providing space for facilitated discussion. Topics regarding various aspects of socially defined meanings of ‘manhood’ and its impact on individuals/families/communities will be brought up.
B. Parenting 101
Parenting is a two-person job yet ‘fathers’ are often not the target of parenting programs. That is why this program will be offered. Fathers will be provided an opportunity to discuss parenting, related challenges and gain skills to promote positive parenting among men.