"In heterosexual relationships, men should really be the ones to bring money home to provide for their families, not women."
"A man shouldn’t have to do household chores."
"A man who talks a lot about his worries, fears, and problems shouldn’t really get respect."
"If a guy has a girlfriend or wife, he deserves to know where she is all the time."
These are just some of the beliefs held by the men that live inside the 'Man Box'. There are 19 rules that make up the Man Box, which is essentially a set of beliefs within and across society that pressure men to act in a certain way.
Each of the rules represents a socially dominant form of masculinity, fitting into one of seven groups: self-sufficiency, acting tough, physical attractiveness, rigid gender roles, homophobia/transphobia, hypersexuality, and aggression and control.
The concept of the Man Box was first explored in 2018 by The Jesuit Social Services' Men’s Project, and focused on men aged 18 to 30. (The second ediiton, published in 2024, extends this age range to 45.) It was the first Australian study to examine the association between attitudes to masculine stereotypes and particular behaviours.
Watch: Why Consent Education Isn't Enough - Katrina Marson. Post continues after the video.
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