In a world that’s changed drastically in recent decades, the idea of masculinity is experiencing a massive sea change. Perhaps the most interesting person in this conversation is Harry Garside, Olympic boxer and captivating thinker. Geoff Devereaux Domestic violence prevention Leigh Boucher Advocacy & emotional vulnerability for men. Leigh Boucher is an advocate for men to be emotionally vulnerable. Together, they explore the challenges of being a man in the world today. They take a deep dive into how past transformations have shaped what we expect today.
Fifty years ago, the women’s liberation movement radically altered societal perceptions of womanhood, creating new opportunities and challenges for both genders. As these economic and social changes were happening, they unintentionally shaped the standards expected of men. In writing, Garside wants young people to understand the power of being authentic to yourself. I believe for many young guys, they search for role models. In doing so, they find their voices and interests and learn how to express themselves through writing. As social commentator Richard Jackson has noted, today’s youth are profoundly looking for direction on how to make sense of masculinity.
Garside began boxing at nine years old. That rigorous up bringing hatched such traditionally masculine characteristics as strength and pride into him. He admits that what he believes a man should be should constantly be changing. “My beliefs about masculinity change all the time,” he admits. This responsiveness could be a sign that Australian men are increasingly challenging stereotypes that have defined their gender for generations.
Though perceptions around masculinity and therapy have clearly shifted, data shows that the mental health crisis for men is dire. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that from 2020 to 2022, just 12.9 percent of men accessed mental health services. By comparison, just 21.6 percent of women utilized those services in the same time frame. This discrepancy begs the question of whether societal expectations play a role in men’s reticence to seek help. Garside emphasizes that young men today continue to look up to mentors like Canadian author Jordan Peterson and British-American influencer Andrew Tate. This respect reveals a deep-seated juxtaposition of old-world and new school philosophies to their learned idea of what manhood is.
Geoff Devereaux’s experience working in the domestic violence sector sheds light on this other side of contemporary masculinity. He writes that most conversations about what it means to be a good dad focus on providing money. “When I’m asked what it is to be a good dad, ‘provider’ is often the first — and last — word on the list,” he explains. His upbringing provided him with a healthy male role model in his father, which contrasts with the more rigid definitions of masculinity he often encounters in his work.
Tenderness and vulnerability are core components of masculinity, Boucher argues, which have been ignored. “Remember when we used to know how to be men?” he questions, reflecting on how societal norms have changed since the late 1960s and early 1970s. He contends that too many men today continue to be pressured into a repressive, archaic mold of stoicism and brute strength.
The idea of tradition is at the heart of this discussion. Boucher states, “So, the idea of ‘tradition’ is actually an idea that we often use to make a statement about what we want.” This lens invites men to question their motives and redefine masculinity in the context of modern times.
Richard Jackson is a passionate mover and shaker in this conversation. He argues that society is moving beyond the “provider-protector” model that historically laid the foundation for manhood. “Whereas nowadays, there are lots of parts of society that are saying that’s to be dispensed with — or it’s not useful anymore,” he notes. This change encourages men to redefine who they can be away from traditional definitions.
Many men still face societal pressures that make it hard to engage with emotional expression. Boucher’s point is that straight men police their own behavior a lot, especially when it comes to showing physical affection or emotional vulnerability. He additionally claims that accepting and internalizing these traits may result in stronger and deeper experiences of masculinity.
Harry Garside’s journey illustrates this evolving narrative. He finds young people today to be “so pure, just organic and authentic. Before long, society’s expectations begin to define who they are. It’s important to him that modern manhood have tenderness, joy, vulnerability— all different kinds of feelings and emotions. This approach creates a more positive image of masculinity.
In short, the intersection of mental health and masculinity is still very much as important as ever. Developing a healthy masculinity Devereaux collaborates frequently with his seven-year-old stepson. He stays involved in homework and activities, showing that contributing to family life is more than just paying the bills.
