Boys are rarely taught to be caring. If they were, we could better prevent domestic violence
Rather than focusing only on what men should stop doing, we should also pay greater attention to the kinds of men we hope they become.
The article highlights the importance of teaching boys to be caring as a way to prevent domestic violence. While current violence prevention strategies already exist, researchers say there is a complementary approach that involves fostering empathy, emotional literacy, and responsibility in men. This "caring masculinity" perspective suggests that boys and men should be encouraged to be empathetic, emotionally aware, and involved in caregiving throughout their lives.
Studies show that men who endorse traditional masculine ideals are more likely to use violence against women, while those who are empathetic and involved in caring roles have lower risks of violence. The article argues that a care perspective offers a positive vision of masculinity, changes how we view accountability, and contributes to greater gender equality within households.
While care alone cannot prevent violence, it enriches prevention efforts by providing an alternative to simply critiquing harmful masculinity.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
