One of our two current projects focuses on the potential for optimistic masculinity. An optimistic approach to masculinity has not been the primary focus of the global understanding of manhood, maybe ever. However, events in the last hundred years have dramatically influenced gender dynamics. Some (but definitely not all) of these changes include:

1. the right for women to vote,
2. changes in the workforce associated with WWII,
3. the advent of frozen foods and home appliances,
4. accessible and effective birth control,
5. women’s access to lines of credit and property ownership,
6. and the #MeToo movement.

These historic cultural shifts have changed gender dynamics around the world. Keeping up with these changes and the reactions to them, especially in recent years, is an adventure in both politics and the darker recesses of the Internet.

One important element of the gender shifts are that young men and young women are increasingly disagreeing with each other politically. Inglehart & Norris (2000) found that throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, women around the world were moving towards the political left. While a few places did not adhere to these norms, they were broadly present across cultures and this trend has not abated. Similarly, young men are now moving (often, if not entirely) towards the political right – but perhaps more importantly towards a hostile sexism.² One of the mechanisms by which many young men are moving towards sexism is the “manosphere,” a loose community that purports to be focused on men’s issues and masculinity. Located primarily online, it has harbored a number of bad actors who promote misogyny and violence while exploiting the insecurities of young men. 

In response to these evolving dynamics, we have created a series of listening sessions to engage with young men and the people who support them to better inform us as we work on this project. If you would like to part of these listening sessions, please be in touch and let us know how you are connected to young men (personally, professionally, you are a young man, etc!).

Based on what we learn from these sessions, we are preparing to create and disseminate a new kind of curriculum and associated learning materials, focused on optimistic masculinity, for small groups and individuals within the United States. It will be available to download in its entirety or to be interfaced with exclusively online to allow learners the flexibility and safety best suited to their circumstances. The World Association of Sexual Health (WAS) has invited UN|HUSHED to present a symposium on this project during their Congress next June in Brisbane, Australia. Connecting the history of masculinity and gender dynamics with our current gender landscape on a global level and turning those elements into possible, positive, connecting steps for the future is the goal of this symposium. 

We are currently fundraising for this project! We will need $50,000 (USD) to complete this project and $10,000 (USD) to attend and present at the WAS Congress in June. We are applying to and receiving funding from a variety of sources. We would love for you to be among those helping us make a lasting impact on positive change. Please consider donating today.

Resources:
1. Inglehart, R., & Norris, P. (2000). The Developmental Theory of the Gender Gap: Women’s and Men’s Voting Behavior in Global Perspective. International Political Science Review, 21(4), 441-463.
2. Demsas. (2024). Are Young Men Really Becoming More Sexist? The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2024/06/young-men-sexist-feminism-gender/678764/