The intersection of Violence Prevention work and “Healthy Masculinity”: My position isn’t a band-aid

Coalition on Men and Masculinities
Whenever I introduce myself and share that my job title is Coordinator for Violence Prevention and Healthy Masculinity programming, I’m usually met with, “Wait, what is your job title?” “What does that even mean, ‘healthy masculinity?’” “But you’re a woman.” At this point, I am used to the confusion and inquiry. And I admit that I am still figuring out this work from a critical and intersectional...

Developing Men: the Importance of Talking about Gender and Religion

Coalition on Men and Masculinities
There was a point in my life where I was going to study to be a Roman Catholic priest. After a pretty miserable first-year experience in college, I turned to my most salient identity as an escape from what seems in reflection to be a depressive state. In this vulnerable mindset, I allowed myself to be molded into something that never quite sat right with me. You see, the people I knew at church...

Saying “I Do” to Engaging in Healthy Masculinity Development

Coalition on Men and Masculinities
I was recently perusing a friend’s Facebook album of engagement photographs—a common happening in the autumnal season of a mid-twenty-something. One of the photos, set in front of luxurious fall colors, included a blackboard held by the couple with the word “#committed” chalked into it. Perhaps it’s my training as an anthropologist or perhaps graduate school finally succeed in irreversibly...

Developing a Positive Masculinity Approach to Fraternity and Other College Men

Coalition on Men and Masculinities
On March 3 of this year, I posted a response to Caitlin Flanagan’s “The Dark Power of Fraternities” to the ACPA Men & Masculinities blog. The post briefly addresses a common occurrence when discussing fraternity life in the American higher education system. Media and commentators frequently highlight troubling statistics and pervasive attitudes that exist within Greek Life; a means to devalue...

Set Perfectionism Aside

Coalition on Men and Masculinities
Set Perfectionism Aside I spent the greater part of the week torn over what I should write about for the Men & Masculinities blog. I had these grandiose ideas of writing something that would change the landscape and contain some groundbreaking original thought. Something that would move readers. I was so caught up in this idea of writing something profound or perfect that it actually kept me...