A new report from Respect Victoria examines how men in Australia are challenging harmful masculine norms, and what this means for preventing violence against women.
Willing, capable: men, masculinities and the prevention of violence against women presents findings from focus group discussions with Australian men, following on from the Man Box 2024 report. It explores how men conform to, navigate or challenge harmful expressions of masculinity.
“Men’s violence against women is a national emergency in Australia, and there is an increased focus on what the role of men is in taking active steps to address and prevent it,” said Respect Victoria Chair Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon.
The report finds that many men are experiencing widespread pressure – in communities, from loved ones and friends, in workplaces, in sports clubs – to perform the harmful forms of masculinity associated with violence against women.
“Many men continue to feel like they need to act tough or stoic, and conform to different harmful masculine norms, whether they personally believe in them or not. These performances of masculinity can lead to or signal acceptance of different forms of violence against women,” said Professor Fitz-Gibbon.
For many of the men who participated in this research, concerns that they would face social exclusion, judgement or rejection from others influenced the degree to which they conformed to harmful masculine norms.
Findings also showed that where there was greater social acceptance of different ways of being a man, men were more comfortable subverting harmful ideas of masculinity.
“Men are telling us that they are willing to challenge the gendered drivers of violence against women, but they are often unsure of their capability or confidence in doing so,” said Respect Victoria’s Research Manager Stephanie Lusby.
“This report illustrates some of the pathways available for men and those around them to push back against societal pressures, overcome barriers to change, and subvert harmful ideas of masculinity. It also shows the joy and freedom men experience from choosing to be masculine in ways that don’t cause harm for themselves or those around them,” said Dr Lusby.
Men who participated in this research repeatedly spoke about their relationships with others as critical to their decision-making and behaviours, as well as the influence of social media and podcasts in supporting them to think differently.
“This report makes an important contribution including exploring how men’s desire for connection and belonging in their relationships is deeply linked to enabling violence prevention,” said Matt Tyler, Executive Director of Community and Systems Impact at Jesuit Social Services.
“Understanding the attitudes, fears and behaviours of men and boys across different contexts is a critical part of what is needed to inform efforts to prevent violence.”
This research offers practical opportunities to reach men at critical points – including when they become parents, through families and social networks, mental health initiatives, and via workplace initiatives.
“It’s clear that men are ready and willing to be part of the solution to ending violence against women, and this report gives us insight into the barriers to achieving change and the next steps we need to take,” said Professor Fitz-Gibbon.
Quotes from participants
‘I’d like to say I don’t [relate to the strong man stereotype], but I feel like internally that’s not the truth. I don’t feel comfortable crying in front of anyone. I don’t see it as a thing of weakness from anyone else, but I don’t have the same acceptance of it [for myself] …There’s the fear of judgement.’
‘We were told growing up that we had to man up and just deal with it. I didn’t want to push that on my kids because I know what it has done to me. I can show them that it’s okay to have emotions, it’s okay to break down, it’s okay that, like, if they want to play with the girls’ toys or whatever, we don’t stop them from doing what they want to do.’