Recommendations

On “framing masculinity”

(From VicHealth, which has done extensive research on masculine stereotypes in Australia)

Recommendation 1: When explaining why masculinity is a problem, frame it as gender stereotypes that constrain men. When talking about the solution, instead of framing this as seeking new or better forms of masculinity, frame it as freedom from gender stereotypes altogether.
• It’s time we freed men from outdated masculine stereotypes.
• Men shouldn’t be shackled to any gender stereotype.
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Recommendation 2: Spend more time talking about men’s role in the solution and less time talking about their role in the problem, in order to avoid activating shame and defensiveness.
• Men freed from traditional masculine stereotypes enjoy better physical and mental wellbeing.
• There are things all men can do to end the culture of violence against women.
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Recommendation 3: Resist the temptation to pander to traditionally masculine language or engage in myth-busting. Instead focus on telling your progressive story to the vast majority of people who are persuadable on the issue.
• Men have been taught to use violence.
• It’s healthy to show your emotions.
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Recommendation 4: Don’t imply traditional masculine norms are ‘dominant’ or widely accepted. Instead, point out that most people think traditional masculine stereotypes are harmful and believe men should be freed from them.
• The vast majority of Australians do not agree with these outdated attitudes and are ready for change.
• Most people want men to be respectful, caring and loving above all else.
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Recommendation 5: Avoid using the word “manhood”. Use “adulthood” instead. ‘Manhood’ panders to the notion of gender binaries and implies the characteristics of men are naturally different to those of women.
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Recommendation 6: Avoid using the words “real men”. Use “good human beings” instead. ‘’Real men’ panders to oppositional frames that suggest there is one ultimate way of being for men – typically associated with traditional masculine stereotypes.
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Recommendation 7: Avoid unnecessarily reinforcing gender binaries (“men” vs “women”) when talking about things that apply equally to all genders. Use “people” instead. Exceptions to this would include situations in which it is important not to ignore the reality of Inequalities between genders.
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Recommendation 8: Avoid using the words “dominant masculinity”. Use “Traditional/outdated masculine stereotypes” instead, if you have to. Referring to unhealthy masculinity as dominant implies it is accepted by the majority of people. We want to show that the opposite is true.
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Recommendation 9: Avoid using the word “masculinity”. Use “masculine stereotypes” instead. Many people don’t know what masculinity is and conflate it with men. Referring to masculinity instead as a stereotype or an outdated set of ideas implies that it is both something undesirable and external to men.
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