A youth-led co-design project exploring masculinity and role models
Young
people
leading
change
Young people have the knowledge, experience and desire to act as agents of change in social challenges - in fact, they are essential.
This project handed the power back, creating space for a team of young people to design their own intervention, while simultaneously unpacking their own attitudes towards gender stereotypes, social norms, and the influences of role models.
As part of our campaign, we have created a series of short videos talking to men, boys, fathers, and sons about what being 'manly' means to them in 2024.
Meet Ben and Finn.
What does it mean to be a father?
A role model? A mentor?
Our early insights flagged that fathers are still the most dominant force in young men's lives - a guiding force for their attitudes and values. We spoke to Ben and Finn about this dynamic.
Meet Nathan and Tom.
As gender roles become less defined, being a 'good human' becomes more and more important.
In an ever-changing world, Dads told us that they are struggling to hold onto traditional values as a way to maintain their sense of self. We spoke to Nathan and Tom about breaking down these values in the modern day.
Meet Marshall.
How do you balance between strong with being vulnerable? Being stoic with being sensitive?
We heard from young men that its important to have spaces to healthily express their emotions. As a mental health advocate, Marshall spoke to us about how emotions can be powerful.
Be a part of the change
Join our community and share the broad range of attributes and activities that make you 'manly'
Get involved
Innovation Unit is a non-profit social innovation agency that supports social innovation and change.
Joining forces with communities, government and other partners, we work to develop, grow and scale new possibilities and to shift the systems that hold existing arrangements in place.
We need your help to do this. Fill out the sign up sheet to register for future opportunities for collaboration.
Innovation Unit
This is Manly
The partners that helped this campaign come to life
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