How does patriarchy impact men’s relationships?

When I asked my friend Jon whether or not the messages he’d received about how to “be a man” had impacted the amount of happiness and joy he had felt throughout his life, his simple answer was “yes”. Throughout our conversation, two major themes emerged: 1) the feeling of “never being good enough” and 2) struggles in relationships.

And boy, oh boy. We could write a lot about how patriarchal masculinity impacts men’s chances at healthy, loving, close, relationships with their friends, families, and partners.

Let’s get into it.

Next Gen Men AdminMarch 7, 2023Mental Health, Masculinity, Healthy Relationships

How does patriarchy impact men’s happiness?

“Do you think being a man affects the amount of joy you feel in your life?”

I asked my friend this question. I was curious if the messages he’d received about how to “be a man” — things like being tough, self-reliant, dominant, aggressive, status-seeking, etc. — had impacted how happy he had been in his life.

Throughout our conversation, these two themes stuck out most: 1) feelings of “never being good enough” and 2) struggles with relationships.

Next Gen Men AdminMarch 1, 2023Mental Health, Masculinity, Curious

8 Documentaries on Masculinity, Patriarchy, and Change

If you’ve been paying attention to Next Gen Men for a while, then you know we love to read (cue Jake telling you about BOOK Club ad infinitum) — but we also love to watch documentaries and movies!

Here are eight documentaries about patriarchy, masculinity, gender equity, and change that we’ve seen (plus one that we are patiently waiting to see). Some focus on violence, others on mental health and relationships; some zoom in on the personal, while others zoom out on the political. We promise they’ll have you fired up either way.

Next Gen Men AdminFebruary 23, 2023Feminism, Masculinity, Violence Prevention, Media

How can I help my friend through a breakup?

Supporting a friend through a breakup can be tough, but you can help your friend heal AND strengthen your friendship if you can be there for them. Here are our suggestions for how you can support your friend to move forward in a healthy way after a romantic relationship ends.

ReflectionsNext Gen Men AdminFebruary 13, 2023Friendship, Healthy Relationships

As Solid as Bedrock: Piloting a Rite of Passage Expedition

Real growth, the kind of growth that changes you from a boy to a man, doesn’t happen in isolation from others—it happens primarily through and within our relationships with those who know us best. The question, then, is less about when you become a man, but with whom you become a man.

ReflectionsJonathon ReedFebruary 9, 2023Masculinity, Youth, Rite of Passage Expeditions

What kind of events can I join at Next Gen Men?

Did you know that Next Gen Men has a whole calendar filled with events that YOU CAN JOIN?! We host many different kinds of events for adults who are interested in conversations about patriarchy, masculinity, and gender equity. Learn about the events and how to join the conversations!

NGM AnnouncementsNext Gen Men AdminFebruary 1, 2023NGM Circle Events

What should I expect in therapy?

In our last article, we left off with booking an initial consultation with a therapist – but what should you expect when you actually go to your initial consultation?

What about your first real therapy appointment? What will that be like, and how can you best prepare for it?

Let us walk you through both!

Next Gen Men AdminFebruary 1, 2023Mental Health

How do I find a therapist?

How do I find a therapist? How do I search for one? How will I find a therapist who is right for me? We offer a step-by-step guide to searching, refining your search, and booking your initial consultation!

Next Gen Men AdminJanuary 23, 2023Mental Health

Am I ready to go to therapy?

Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for a long time, or perhaps you’ve had others suggest it to you. Perhaps it seems like the natural next step in the journey you’ve been on, or maybe you’ve hit a roadblock in your growth and want to get additional support.

Whatever the reason, if you’re considering whether or not you’re ready to go to therapy, this blog is for you.

Next Gen Men AdminJanuary 18, 2023Mental Health

How do I know if I need therapy?

Going to therapy is much more common and far less stigmatized than at any other point in history. But how do we know if we need to go to therapy? Is self-care, self-help, or peer support enough?

ReflectionsNext Gen Men AdminDecember 25, 2022Mental Health, Curious

Is Masculinity Spiritual?

Is masculinity innately spiritual?

If you’ve scrolled on Tik Tok you will find no shortage of very aesthetic-looking videos outlining the ways to ‘tap into your divine masculine and divine feminine’ or what it means to be a ‘high-vale male.’ The idea that fostering your ‘divine gendered energy’ as a way to heal yourself may be going viral now, but it has roots going all the way back to the 80s.

NGM Podcast NetworkNext Gen Men AdminDecember 14, 2022History, Masculinity, Mental Health

A Boy in Crisis Asked You Not to Tell Anyone. Now What?

We’re mandated to report any situation in which a child might be in need of protection, come hell or high water. Yet in reality it’s rarely that simple. Young people’s lives are complex, tangled and ever-changing shades of grey—and if our ultimate goal is their wellbeing, then we have to recognize a trusting relationship in which they can confide in and count on as a significant protective factor.

Learnings & UnlearningsJonathon ReedDecember 2, 2022Youth, Education, Mental Health

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