
Men, boys and masculinities
Norms of masculinity affect how men and boys see themselves in relation to women and girls (gender identity), shaping their behaviour, and the behaviour they expect from others – male or female. These norms vary across different cultural contexts and social groups, and while some can facilitate social relationships, others uphold gender inequalities. Among adolescents, for example, they include expectations that boys’ views are more important than girls’, that ‘real boys’ do not do household chores, or that sexual harassment of girls is just ‘teasing’.
Some norms of masculinity can also undermine the well-being of boys and men where, for example, they encourage risk-taking that endangers health or push older boys into the labour force at the expense of their education. Boys and men who reject prevailing norms of masculinity can also be subjected to gossip, ridicule and violence.
Initiatives to promote gender equality are increasingly recognising the need to transform harmful norms of masculinity, and there is a growing body of evidence on how this can be done. ALIGN’s resources on masculinities bring together insights on how these norms fuel gender inequality and showcase effective strategies for change.
ALIGN guide
13 June 2019

View ALIGN's in-depth guide to gender norms and masculinities.
Blog
25 September 2020

Published by: ALIGN, ICRW
Webinar/event recording
11 May 2020

Published by: ALIGN, ICRW
Blog
4 May 2020

Published by: ALIGN
Blog
16 January 2020

Published by: ALIGN
Toolkit
13 June 2019

Published by: ALIGN
Video/podcast
7 March 2019

Published by: ICRW, ALIGN
Think piece
10 January 2019

Published by: ALIGN
Men, boys and masculinities content from the ALIGN community
Briefing paper
23 May 2022

Published by: ALIGN, Simetría AC
Video/podcast
4 May 2022

Published by: Now and Men
Report
1 May 2022

Published by: PROMUNDO
Blog
7 January 2022

Published by: ALIGN
Report
20 April 2021

Published by: GAGE
Report
12 April 2021

Published by: GAGE