Mission: To change the mindset of young adult males and in turn, break the cycle of sexism and violence against women by creating social diversity through education, advocacy and service.
Not all men are the problem, but all men can be part of the SOLUTION!
Objectives:
Education – informing young men and boys of the way they contribute to sexism and violence against women
Advocacy – standing against violence and admitting that sexism and violence is just as much a man’s issue as it is a woman’s.
Services – training and initiating change in the mindset of young males to break the cycle of sexism and violence against women.
Men are not born violent. They become violent as a result of beliefs and social norms about what it means to be a man then using those beliefs to attain power and control. Working with young adult men can change these beliefs and social norms.
MYTHS ABOUT MEN:
The majority of men do not abuse. However, it’s important to recognize that men are the majority of perpetrators in all forms of violence.
Abuse affects society as a whole. There are a lot of good men who don’t condone violence against women. However, if we remain silent we’re part of the problem. Silence = Acceptance.
Men are very capable of showing emotions. We as a society condition me to repress their full range of emotions, because it’s seen as a form of weakness. Also, we reinforce this message by rewarding men for expressing anger. Masculinity is defined by the ability to be empathetic, sympathetic, caring, thoughtful, and loving – all of which require showing emotion.
Texas Council on Family Violence
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
For more information please contact:
Jeremy Flowers
903.579.2501
Brooke Wyatt
903.579.2533