Mold Your Masculinity
Dear Editor: In the Friday, June 30, edition of the Daily Sitka Sentinel, Ardel Wilkinson responded to the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee’s Mold Your Masculinity campaign advertisements. The Mold Your Masculinity campaign aims to raise awareness about harmful masculinity norms and redefine what it means to be a man in today’s society. SYLC encourages men and boys to embrace their true selves and not succumb to societal pressures to conform to harmful norms.
SYLC avoids using the term “toxic masculinity” in this campaign because we recognize that masculinity itself isn’t inherently harmful or “toxic.” However, there are some characteristics associated with masculinity and societal expectations of men that can leave a negative impact. These characteristics include being tough, athletic, strong, straight, fearless, and emotionless (acalltomen.org/resources/video-what-is-the-man-box).
We’re glad to hear that this doesn’t align with Ardel’s experience, who shared that he learned skills throughout childhood that were “viewed as the foundation to becoming a respectful, virtuous, and responsible person, not as tools to obtain power and control over others.” Furthermore, he shared that growing up in Sitka, he was not taught that men must hide their emotions, but rather “that being able to manage your feelings, so you don’t impulsively act, will help keep you from making rash decisions…” This is, in essence, the intent of SYLC’s campaign-empowering men to be their true selves in a way that doesn’t cause harm to themselves or others.
SYLC believes that mindsets like Ardel’s can help us to build a more accepting and inclusive community. Unfortunately, this is not what we are seeing in our community or nationwide. In Sitka, 47% of women have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both in their lifetime; in the state as a whole, this number surpasses 50%; (Alaska Victimization Survey, 2020.) According to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, men perpetrate a vast majority of domestic violence (ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/fvs.htm). Additionally, 97% of mass shootings in the U.S. are perpetrated by men (theviolenceproject.org/key-findings).
SYLC members have shared they see harmful masculinity norms show up frequently in their lives. Whether it’s in sports where young men are told to “man up,” or as children where boys are told “boys don’t cry,” or throughout their upbringing where they were encouraged or discouraged to participate in certain activities based on their gender, these limiting norms are ever present.
Through the Mold Your Masculinity campaign, SYLC aims to build support for those who choose to step out of rigid gender norms and into their most authentic selves. To be part of this change and to learn more, visit sitkayouthleadership.com.
Thank you, Ardel, for inquiring about SYLC’s campaign. We hope you will join us in future discussions around harmful gender norms. It takes all of us to create a world where individuals are free to embrace who they truly are, regardless of gender.
Sunny McClenahan, Member
Emma Thompson, Adult Mentor
Sitka Youth Leadership Committee
