Today we joined partners in Canberra for the launch of the landmark Adolescent Man Box report by @jesuitsocialservices The Men’s Project.

This national study asked young people how they experience masculinity — the expectations, the pressures, and the impact these have on their lives.

Drawing on a survey of 1,400 adolescents aged 14–18, the report shows that many young people see strong pressure on boys to “be manly” — to appear tough, confident, and emotionally closed off.

Importantly, most young people do not personally agree with these rigid stereotypes.
That’s a powerful sign of change.

However, the study also highlights a small but significant group of boys who do strongly endorse these restrictive norms — and the findings are clear. These boys are more likely to:
1. engage in bullying, physical violence or sexual harassment
2. experience poor mental health
3. struggle to seek help when they need it
4. use alcohol and gambling and,
5. view pornography that includes aggression or non-consensual acts.

There is also a growing trend:
Almost half (47%) of boys who strongly identify with rigid masculine norms said their online social life feels more rewarding than their offline interactions — and 85% reported recent symptoms of poor mental health.

But there is good news too — and it matters:
96% of boys and girls in the study believe it is important to treat girls and women as equals.
And most boys feel uncomfortable when they witness harassment of women and girls.

This tells us something we see every day in Top Blokes programs.

Boys care. Boys want connection. Boys want to be respectful — and they thrive when given the space to learn how.

We’re looking forward to working with our partners in the industry to advocate for a range of recommendations for government, service providers, schools, parents and digital tech companies.

#adolescentmanbox #healthymasculinity #positivemasculinities #themensproject …

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When young men speak, change happens.

The NSW Parliament’s Inquiry into the Impacts of Harmful Pornography confirmed what our boys have been saying for years — pornography is shaping how young people understand sex, relationships, masculinity and consent.

“It’s just too easily accessible for everyone to have… it can affect our mental wellbeing and also our physical wellbeing.”

“There’s no actual way to get rid of it completely… education is the best workaround.”

Top Blokes and the young men we work with were recognised for elevating young male voices and helping shape key recommendations — from early, age-appropriate education to programs co-designed with young people and better support for parents and teachers.

“Many of the young men we mentor tell us they want to talk about pornography but shame, stigma, and a lack of trusted adults make it difficult.” – Melissa Abu-Gazaleh

This is what happens when young men are heard. Education over censorship. Conversation over shame.

Read more on our website.

#TopBlokes #YouthVoice #PositiveMasculinity #MentalHealth #NSWParliament #EducationOverCensorship #ConversationOverShame …

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