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When it comes to school performance, behaviour, and social skills, children with involved dads perform better than those without. In many ways, by being affectionate, open, caring, nurturing and present, you are giving your children a head start to have healthy minds, hearts, and relationships.
Read MoreOne of the best to connect with young people is by sharing time with them. We know that. It is, however, sometimes easier said than done. As we head into the holiday season, consider snuggling up for a TV show. Make some space on the couch and make it a weekly ritual. Here are some shows that you will both enjoy.
Read MoreBuying gifts is tough — buying meaningful gifts can almost feel like an impossible task. We’ve got you covered with a list that highlights the best gifts from your favourite causes and organizations. And what better way to celebrate the important men in your life than a Christmas gift that matches their values?
Read MoreIf we can find the balance between pushing our boys towards mental health resources and waiting for them to get there on their own, we find ourselves standing right alongside them. That’s where we belong.
Read MoreYou’re not going to stop your son from being exposed to, or enjoying, pornography. I’m sorry, but you’re not. You can, however, be there as a source of support for him as he explores his feelings, his body, and the different choices he can make to positively impact his relationships and the world around him.
Read MoreAs a current youth facilitator for Next Gen Men and former teacher, one of my main objectives has always been to create a safe space free of judgement. A place where young people feel comfortable and are free to be their authentic selves.
Why is this a challenge for boys? You might be surprised to discover that school is a place where many boys feel unsafe. They are afraid they won’t live up to the rules of manhood—they won’t be cool enough, popular enough, or tough enough.
Read MoreIt’s clear, then, that to combat problems of gender-based violence, we must get at their roots in early childhood. We need to talk to adults—as parents, educators, mentors—about the clear links between gendered and sexual violence and the way kids’ genders are policed, both by adults and other children.
Read MoreAt Next Gen Men, we got our start in 2014, running after-school programs and reaching thousands of students across southern Ontario. But as more and people reached out for support, we saw a gap grow, between what was needed and what we could deliver. And the gap grew and grew. What could we do about it? So we decided to build a bridge.
Read MoreAs parents, educators and mentors for the young people in our lives, we have options, and we have hope. We can build our skills. We can do our homework and practise our craft. We can keep learning and unlearning, each building our own inner knowledge base through research and experience.
Read MoreMany adults today are rooted in long-held friendships that took shape before the digital era. It is true that many boys have their deepest relationships with in-person friends at school, in their neighbourhood, or on their sports team. Yet it is also true that young people today have rich, meaningful and reciprocal relationships with peers that take place solely online.
Read MoreI’m particularly interested in authors who view their protagonists with depth, range and emotional complexity. The characters in these books are role models for boys who do not always make the right decisions but do always strive to treat others—and themselves—with courage, compassion and integrity.
Read MoreBeyond well-worn stereotypes about shutting down or hooking up, teenage boys want to feel close, and loved, and they want to talk with their parents about their relationships. Seriously.
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