ASPIRATIONAL MASCULINITY
Aspirational Masculinity, informed by 30 years of work with boys and men on gender violence prevention, is an innovative paradigm shift, centered on a positive approach moving from prevention to promotion.
Aspirational Masculinity focuses on what we want and hope for boys and men and promotes the deliberate and intentional examination of male identity and, the relationships and behaviors of and between boys and men supporting excellence and advancement through the social ecosystem.
Authentic. Whole. Evolving. - AWE
Authentic
Authentic Masculinity is expressed as uniquely as there are male-identified individuals. “Masculinity” is not a monolithic or negative term. Authentic masculinity is determined by individuals, not social mandates or expectations that narrowly define male identity.
A W E
Whole
Whole Masculinity is its most courageous expression. Beyond breaking free of the narrow (public) definition, we all carry shame, pain and even unspoken joys and triumphs that belie our superficial outward identities. Those things are part of our wholeness and impact how we live and interact with the world.
Evolving
Evolving Masculinity is the celebratory journey of being male. The rigidity and narrowness of how it’s learned often carries into adulthood. Aspirational Masculinity is for older men as well, as we grow through and into ever changing roles, opportunities and evolving lives.
"Your concept of aspirational masculinity is empowering in that it encourages education and awareness about the ways in which we as men can be champions of love and positivity in our relationships. Your message resonated with our team and has helped foster some genuinely productive conversations in our locker room.”
Timmy Galamaga, College Football Student-Athlete, Bowdoin College
Bringing Aspirational Masculinity into the home
“We need to stop only asking boys and men to make space for others and instead ask men to make new spaces for themselves that aren’t confined to the narrow definitions of masculinity,”
— Don McPherson
“In most life endeavors, we work and train to attain excellence, not just competency or victories; in sports and academics, we work towards excellence, not the prevention of failure. Nor do we train for victory by a discernable margin but mastery of a discipline or performance. We must apply the same vigor for excellence when considering the ideology of masculinity.“
Don McPherson, You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity
“I want men to be freed from the dogma of narrow masculinity and, freed by the ability to live in their (authentic) wholeness”
Don McPherson, You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity (THE FILM)
