Safe Nest invites men in Southern Nevada to do their part to end violence against women through the Coaching Boys Into Men campaign. The message of the campaign is simple: Men can teach boys that violence does not equal strength.
The Challenge
How can men help prevent violence?
Research has shown that men are ready and willing to become partners in the movement to end violence against women:- 21 percent of men say they don't actively support efforts to stop domestic violence because "no one asked me to get involved."
- A majority of men are willing to talk to children about the importance of healthy, violence-free relationships.
- Men respond extremely well to the notion that they are in a unique position as role models and can help steer boys and teens away from abusive behavior.
The Challenge to Men — Be Our Children's Role Models
The Coaching Boys Into Men campaign appeals to men as fathers, friends, mentors, coaches, and community leaders and encourages them to talk with the boys in their lives about why violence has no place in relationships. The goals of the campaign are to:- Invite men to be part of the solution while educating them about the problem.
- Motivate them to see their role as leaders and to act on it; and
- Provide them with the tools and information necessary to break the cycle of violence.
Reaching the Public
The Coaching Boys into Men campaign includes television, radio and print media. Television and radio spots titled "Father and Son", feature vignettes of a father and son playing different sports together. The narrator states, "You taught him how to hit the strike zone, a 9-iron, the net, the open man, but how much time have you spent teaching him what not to hit?" The narrator continues, “All violence against women is wrong. Teach early." These moving public service announcements were developed by the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the Ad Council.Look for the Coaching Boys Into Men public service announcements on local television and radio stations! For more information, contact Safe Nest at 702-877-0133, ext. 225.
Men - What you Can Do
The boys in your life need your time and energy. Your son, grandson, nephew, younger brother. The boys you teach, coach and mentor. All need you to help them grow into healthy young men.Boys are swamped with influences outside of the home – from friends, the neighborhood, television, the internet, music, the movies… everything they see around them. They hear all kinds of messages about what it means to "be a man" – that they have to be tough and in control. There are numerous conflicting and some harmful messages being given to boys about what constitutes "being a man" in a relationship.
Boys need your advice on how to behave toward girls. Boys are watching how you and other men relate to women to figure out their own stance towards girls. So teach boys early, and teach them often, that there is no place for violence in a relationship.
Here's How:
Teach Early. It's never too soon to talk to a child about violence. Let him know how you think he should express his anger and frustration – and what is out of bounds. Talk with him about what it means to be fair, share and treat others with respect.Be there. If it comes down to one thing you can do, this is it. Just being with boys is crucial. The time doesn't have to be spent in activities. Boys will probably not say this directly -- but they want a male presence around them, even if few words are exchanged.
Listen. Hear what he has to say. Listen to how he and his friends talk about girls. Ask him if he's ever seen abusive behavior in his friends. Is he worried about any of his friends who are being hurt in their relationships? Are any of his friends hurting anyone else?
Tell Him How. Teach him ways to express his anger without using violence. When he gets mad, tell him he can walk it out, talk it out, or take a time out. Let him know he can always come to you if he feels like things are getting out of hand. Try to give him examples of what you might say or do in situations that could turn violent.
Bring it up. A kid will never approach you and ask for guidance on how to treat women. But that doesn't mean he doesn't need it. Try watching TV with him or listening to his music. If you see or hear things that depict violence against women, tell him what you think about it. Never hesitate to let him know you don't approve of sports figures that demean women, or jokes, video games and song lyrics that do the same. And when it comes time for dating, be sure he knows that treating girls with respect is important.
Be a Role Model. Fathers, coaches and any man who spends time with boys or teens will have the greatest impact when they "walk the walk." They will learn what respect means by observing how you treat other people. So make respect a permanent way of dealing with people – when you're driving in traffic, talking with customer service reps, in restaurants with waiters, and with your family around the dinner table. He's watching what you say and do and takes his cues from you, both good and bad. Be aware of how you express your anger. Let him know how you define a healthy relationship and always treat women and girls in a way that your son can admire.
Teach Often. Your job isn't done once you get the first talk out of the way. Help him work through problems in relationships as they arise. Let him know he can come back and talk to you again anytime. Use every opportunity to reinforce the message that violence has no place in a relationship.
Courtesy of the Family Violence Prevention Fund
1 comment:
Great read thankyoou
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