Answering "What Kind of Man Do You Want to Be?"

More than ever, men are recognising that the old scripts of masculinity can hurt them, and the people around them.  

In What Kind of Man Do You Want to Be? we asked a group of ordinary Victorian men about the expectations and pressures they felt, and how those expectations shaped their decisions and actions.

One very clear response was how much men want to talk about the kind of man they each want to be... but sometimes it's difficult to start that conversation.

The links we’ve brought together on this page are a mix of information and more men’s stories to help get you – and the other men in your life – talking about what kind of man you want to be. 

Prompts for you and your mates

Resources for parents

Parents of younger children:

Parents of older children:

  • Young men online: Information from the eSafety Commission understanding the online landscape young men experience, for better and for worse.

Resources for sports clubs

  • More than a game: the power of local sport: How local sports clubs can shape what it means to ‘be a man’, support healthy relationships and level the playing field for everyone.
  • Ahead of the Game: Movember's youth mental health and resilience program for local sports clubs. 
  • Safe and Inclusive Sport: Resources from Sport and Recreation Victoria for community sports clubs to influence positive attitudes and behaviours.

Resources for working with boys and young men

  • The Men’s Project: Support for men and boys to live respectful, accountable and fulfilling lives free from behaviours that harm themselves and those around them.  
  • The Man Cave: Preventative mental health programs that create long-term positive shifts.  
  • Global Boyhood Initiative: Practical tools and strategies for parents, researchers and educators to support the emotional and social growth of boys in your life.

Resources for working with communities

Campaign resources

Need support?

The Men's Referral Service is the national counselling, information and referral service for men seeking to change their behaviour, operating  24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1300 766 491.  

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1300 789 978.  

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14.

Beyond Blue provides free telephone and online counselling services for everyone in Australia, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1 300 22 4636.

If you are experiencing violence, concerned for your safety, or in an emergency situation please call 000 for urgent police assistance.  If you need support or advice, reach out to a specialist family violence support service