Only If You Care about Our Boys

If you care about boys of any age, you have to take a look at the Boys Project website. Among other topics, it clearly paints the picture of a "boy crisis" in which boys are being brutalized by an educational system simply not suited to who they are . . . young males! The Boys Project offers us a powerful a statement of this tragic epidemic presented in statistics such as:

• For every 100 girls suspended from public elementary and secondary schools 250 boys are suspended.
• For every 100 girls expelled from public elementary and secondary schools 335 boys are expelled.
• For every 100 girls diagnosed with a learning disability 276 boys are diagnosed with a learning disability.
• For every 100 girls diagnosed with emotional disturbance 324 boys are diagnosed with emotional disturbance.
• For every 100 tenth grade girls who play video or computer games one or more hours per day 322 boys play video or computer games one or more hours per day.
• For every 100 women enrolled in college there are 77 men enrolled.
• For every 100 American women who earn a bachelor's degree from college 73 American men earn a bachelor's degree.
• For every 100 American women who earn a master's degree from college 62 American men earn the same degree.

The data go on to describe other mental health, disability, and incarceration numbers for boys that are also unsettling. Try these on:

• For every 100 females ages 15 to 19 that commit suicide 549 males in the same range kill themselves.
• For every 100 girls with multiple disabilities 189 boys have multiple disabilities.
• For every 100 girls ages 15 to 17 in correctional facilities there are 837 boys behind bars.

Tom Mortenson, the man responsible for this collection of data, is a Higher Education Policy Analyst at The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education. He first drew public attention to the gender gap in post-secondary education and was the first to point out the need for a Boys Project.

The goals of the Boys Project are:

1. Showcase colleges, schools, teachers, and organizations that have succeeded in engaging young men, increasing their academic success, and developing drive and ambition.

2. Educate families, educators and the public about the challenges our young boys are facing.

3. Develop federal, state, and foundation initiatives that support relevant research and necessary legislative change.

We all want to live in a world that gives all of our children the best possible chance to express their giftedness, regardless of gender. But it's is critical that there are organizations like the Boys Project whose purpose is to help boys become successful men. I'm happy to support this initiative, and if you care about what's happening to our boys check out the Boys Project website.

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One In Three are Male Victims of Family Violence

In a recent blog post titled Boys, Bulldogs, and Never Surrender!, by guest blogger Tim Wernette, the topic of gender stereotyping came up. That prompted a comment by Brian M., a subscriber in Australia. Brian pointed out,

One of the key things that has to be done . . . is to enlighten the community that it’s not just men who commit violence against women. Women violate men, women act against women, and men against men. Violence is illegal and bad regardless of whoever does it, and male victims are no less deserving of our sympathy and support than female victims.

Brian noted that 1 in 3 victims of domestic violence is a male, and in most cases it is a female perpetrator. He suggested we explore the rather amazing data on the One in Three Campaign website. For example, The Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey (2006) produced the largest and most recent study of violence in Australia. It discovered:

• 29.8% (almost one in three) victims of current partner violence since the age of 15 were male
• 24.4% (almost one in four) victims of previous partner violence since the age of 15 were male
• 29.4% (almost one in three) victims of sexual assault* during the last 12 months were male 
• 26.1% (more than one in four) victims of sexual abuse* before the age of 15 were male

Be very clear, the One in Three Campaign is not in the business of excusing male perpetrators. Their position, often stated on their site is, "For decades well-meaning governments and NGO's have presented the myth to the public that family violence is only something that men do to women. This message has prevented the development of more comprehensive policies, programs, services, campaigns and funding to cater for male as well as female victims of family violence and abuse."

The site references research, offers eye-opening men's stories of victimization, a page on Misinformation, links to Australian and a series of podcasts covering the Intimate Partner Abuse of Men Workshop held in June of 2010 in Perth, Western Australia. While noting that, "Unfortunately there aren't many tailored services and resources available for male victims of family violence and abuse," they list a solid collection of links and contact information for known support services in Australia and internationally. There is also a section of recommended reading for male victims.

If you want to support men, women, and children caught up in domestic violence, while enlarging your concept of family violence in all its ugly forms, a quick tour of One in Three Campaign website will likely be a healthy wake up call.

In the USA, one of many good sources for emergency contacts for victims of family violence is StopFamilyViolence.org. They maintain a list of helpful and support contacts for anyone experiencing some form of family violence.

If you know of a good resource to help victims of family violence in your part of the world, please list it in the comments section of this post, or send me a note and I'll add it to the post.

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If you're not yet a subscriber to the Man-Making Blog, and you'd like to receive these posts by email 3-4 times a month, go to this link for a free subscription.

It's easy to have Man-Making Blog posts appear on your organization's website. Send me a quick message and I'll tell you what it takes to get set up. To see an example of how it might look on your site, check out the blog page on the Man-Making website.