Men navigate a fluid journey of self-improvement by unmasking and aligning actions with integrity.
Dr. Keith Edwards presents academic research on masculinity in a digestible format, emphasizing reflection on identities.
Transition to authentic masculinity entails redefining personal masculinity, embracing vulnerability, and challenging societal norms.
Deep dives
Understanding Masking and Becoming in Masculinity Exploration
Men engage in a continuous process of self-discovery and authenticity, challenging the linear notion of figuring out identity before practicing integrity. This exploration involves individuals realizing discrepancies between self-perception and feedback received, leading to a fluid journey of self-improvement.
Writing a Book on Unmasking Authentic Masculinity
Dr. Keith Edwards embarked on a 15-year journey to write a book on unmasking masculinity, drawing insights from ongoing conversations with men from his dissertation research. He aimed to present academic research in a digestible, non-academic format for a broader audience, emphasizing the importance of sharing experiences and facilitating deep reflection on identities.
Challenging Toxic Masculinity Towards Authenticity
Transitioning from toxic masculinity to authentic masculinity involves acknowledging the toxic societal norms that shape gender expectations. While healthy masculinity promotes positive traits like respect and honesty, authentic masculinity encourages individuals to define masculinity personally, embracing vulnerability and self-definition beyond societal pressures.
Cultivating Critical Hope in Gender Equity Work
Critical hope in gender equity work involves maintaining a belief in positive change while actively contributing to that change. By blending equity considerations with possibilities and accountability, individuals can foster agency to transform societal norms. Engaging in meaningful dialogues, promoting respect, and creating spaces for diverse expressions of gender contribute to fostering critical hope.
Embracing Responsibility and Agency for Change
Embracing responsibility and agency involves actively challenging systemic gender norms and fostering positive change in personal and professional spheres. By rejecting fatalistic perspectives and cynicism, individuals can focus on making incremental positive contributions, fueled by a belief in the potential for societal transformation through collective efforts.
This episode features a conversation about a newly published book, Unmasking: Toward Authentic Masculinity, by Dr. Keith E. Edwards PHD. Unmasking is a process by which men first become conscious of the masks they wear to conform to external expectations and then practice exploring their identity as men and becoming intentional about aligning their actions with integrity. Written for men and those of us who have men in our lives, the book offers student affairs educators a unique research-based lens on the issues, strategies, and engagement strategies for men on college and university campuses.
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