Workshop for boys, caregivers seeks to blow up male stereotypes

KITCHENER — Understanding gender stereotypes in daily life and their impact will be discussed at a free workshop this week aimed at young boys and their caregivers.

The workshop — called Raising Feminist Boys: Redefining Masculinity — will explore what it means to be a boy or man today.

It’s hosted by Male Allies, a public education program of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region that aims to engage boys and men as advocates for positive social change.

“You don’t need to fit into a certain box to be a man,” said TK Pritchard, public education manager at the centre. “There’s just lots of different ways to connect with your masculinity that don’t have to be rooted in stereotypes.”

Masculinity will be discussed during the workshop, including stereotypes of being manly and tough, and what happens when a man doesn’t fit into those boxes.

While in reality there are many different ways of being a man, Pritchard said that’s not the predominant message.

“What would happen if we just let men and boys be who we are,” Pritchard said.

He hopes participants will leave the workshop thinking about masculinity for themselves and how other men are treated when they stray from stereotypes. That can invoke ridicule and name calling, often in ways that are offensive to women and girls.

“Think about the weight their words carry for both women and men,” Pritchard said.

The workshop, for boys ages eight to 12 and their caregivers, is being held on Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 151 Frederick St., Unit 300, in Kitchener.

The event is free, but registration on Eventbrite is required. Email educator@sascwr.org with any questions.

It’s one in a series of workshops hosted by Male Allies. The next workshop will address consent.