The Manhood 2.0 program presented here is a milestone in the history of gender programming for young men in the United States. It was created with the specific goal of engaging young men – and those around them such as teachers, parents, coaches, and female peers – in promoting healthy ideas and practices related to manhood in the United States. Manhood 2.0 is based on Program H and Program M, a comprehensive approach to working with youth for gender justice that Promundo and partners first developed in Latin America more than 15 years ago. Since then, the activities have been regularly updated, and they have since been used in more than 35 countries and endorsed by government ministries, research agencies, the United Nations, diverse funders, and, most importantly, by youth themselves. Manhood 2.0 emerges from years of research affirming that inequitable, harmful ideas about manhood are often the drivers of negative health consequences, relationship and sexual violence, bullying, mental health concerns, substance use, and other challenges. The premise of Manhood 2.0 is that being aware and conscious of how we in our society are raised within the confines of restrictive ideas about gender is not only a necessary, but also a liberating experience.

The approach is rooted in popular education, in feminist collective action (intersectional feminism in particular), and in the work of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire. Freire espoused the idea of collective consciousness-raising among those oppressed by the many ways in which people are marginalized – through racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ableism, and so forth. We take this work further by not only supporting young men to recognize ways in which power and oppression manifest in their lives, but also providing them with opportunities to practice skills to create healthier relationships, positive social networks, and nonviolent communities. We often don’t think of men, or young men, as being harmed by gender norms. But our research and that of many others affirms how rigid norms about manhood, what we sometimes call the “Man Box,” can do just that: trap young men into ways of thinking and being that can harm others, including women and girls. Engaging young men in critical reflection and skill-building is one piece of the puzzle to address gender justice.

We believe that young men, as well as young women and individuals of all gender identities, can play a critical role in shaping the world around them. When critically aware of how gender norms and stereotypes shape their lives in negative ways, they will become allies in the cause for gender justice and they will live out gender equality in their own lives. For those using Manhood 2.0, we recommend situating it within broader efforts to engage youth of diverse genders and sexual orientations, parents and other adult caregivers, and adult allies, as well as within broader movements to continue progress towards economic and social justice.

In the era of #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, it is imperative to engage young people as allies to continue progress on gender and social justice. Manhood 2.0 contributes to more informed, reflective, and engaged citizens, young men and women who seek to promote justice in their lives, who seek to live in equality, and who raise their voices demanding it. Manhood 2.0 emphasizes the positive, encouraging young men to add their voices to the cause of gender justice. We encourage you to use Manhood 2.0 to begin these conversations in your communities and to be part of a community of activists, program staff, youth, and citizens who believe that healthy, equityseeking young men contribute to a more just world.