Men in Movement
Old models of masculinity hurt men, women, boys and girls. They hurt other cultures and the planet itself. Violence, bullying, arrogance, division, rejection, invasion, abandonment, … are present in most aspects of our lives. These competitive, adversarial and hurtful behaviours are implicit in the masculine culture that we have inherited over millions of years and visible in all areas from our families, education, health and social care, through to work, food and farming, business and politics. Some of these behaviours were possibly inherited from our great ape ancestors and even necessary for our survival in those previous ages, but now they are clearly hurting and destroying us.
We need a paradigm shift. What can we put in its place? It is time for new masculinities, roles and experiences.
Men in Movement sees this violence and competition often as a frustrated expression of our creative spirit. Men need to be doing good and useful work in the world, maintaining our complex ecology to sustain healthy communities, relating and negotiating, playing and having fun together. We need a sense of meaning and value in ourselves and what we contribute. We need to see accessible routes to feel ourselves as a successful male, each in our own special ways. Where we are frustrated in these healthy expressions of our vital energy it is not surprising that we get angry or depressed.
We, specifically men, need to look hard at ourselves. For example, am I the man I would like my son to become or my daughter to marry? Most of our culture implicitly supports the old competitive masculinity, even if it is hurting, we don’t know anything else. If we are to make any small explorations and changes in our lives, this will have to be a gentle process, respectful and supportive along the way.
Men in Movement offers this gentle respectful listening and support towards healthier and creative masculinities.
Men's roles and experience have changed immensely over the last 50 years, often bringing us stress and confusion. When I was a youth I could imagine 'rites of passage' for myself in society to become a man and feel good about it. I imagined that I could become a priest, politician, spy, footballer, rock musician, teacher etc. ... and those looked like valued and honourable roles to grow into. There was an unreal vision that adults (men, and especially those in some position) held some kind of moral authority and were fulfilled. We could believe in something even if it was a fantasy. Now this bubble is bursting. Fewer of us still believe in the integrity of these ‘figures of authority, pillars of the community’, and thank goodness this fantasy is bursting because it is hurting us all.
With this in mind Men in Movement promotes, supports and runs therapy, education and small groups that provide a forum where men can freely explore their lives, relationships and experience, supporting each other to find our personal steps towards a more fulfilling life. In our Men's Groups it is essential that we stay open to the widest exploration and expression of masculinities. We do not promote or defend any one model of masculinity. We listen and respect the path and process of each person, building trust together. We also confront each other when it seems as if we are fooling ourselves and repeating addictive or hurtful behaviours. Change can often be fearful and difficult so we support each other in this process.
We need a paradigm shift. What can we put in its place? It is time for new masculinities, roles and experiences.
Men in Movement sees this violence and competition often as a frustrated expression of our creative spirit. Men need to be doing good and useful work in the world, maintaining our complex ecology to sustain healthy communities, relating and negotiating, playing and having fun together. We need a sense of meaning and value in ourselves and what we contribute. We need to see accessible routes to feel ourselves as a successful male, each in our own special ways. Where we are frustrated in these healthy expressions of our vital energy it is not surprising that we get angry or depressed.
We, specifically men, need to look hard at ourselves. For example, am I the man I would like my son to become or my daughter to marry? Most of our culture implicitly supports the old competitive masculinity, even if it is hurting, we don’t know anything else. If we are to make any small explorations and changes in our lives, this will have to be a gentle process, respectful and supportive along the way.
Men in Movement offers this gentle respectful listening and support towards healthier and creative masculinities.
Men's roles and experience have changed immensely over the last 50 years, often bringing us stress and confusion. When I was a youth I could imagine 'rites of passage' for myself in society to become a man and feel good about it. I imagined that I could become a priest, politician, spy, footballer, rock musician, teacher etc. ... and those looked like valued and honourable roles to grow into. There was an unreal vision that adults (men, and especially those in some position) held some kind of moral authority and were fulfilled. We could believe in something even if it was a fantasy. Now this bubble is bursting. Fewer of us still believe in the integrity of these ‘figures of authority, pillars of the community’, and thank goodness this fantasy is bursting because it is hurting us all.
With this in mind Men in Movement promotes, supports and runs therapy, education and small groups that provide a forum where men can freely explore their lives, relationships and experience, supporting each other to find our personal steps towards a more fulfilling life. In our Men's Groups it is essential that we stay open to the widest exploration and expression of masculinities. We do not promote or defend any one model of masculinity. We listen and respect the path and process of each person, building trust together. We also confront each other when it seems as if we are fooling ourselves and repeating addictive or hurtful behaviours. Change can often be fearful and difficult so we support each other in this process.