What does it mean to be a man in 2024?
Strong. Brave. Kind. Powerful. Respectful?
The truth is, you shouldn’t be defined by anyone else. YOU get to decide the kind of man you want to be.
However, it can sometimes be tricky to navigate how to become the man that you truly want to be.
There are so many influences, opinions and feelings tied up in modern day masculinity. Negative stereotypes and messaging around masculinity can also be damaging, not just for men themselves, but also in the way you form relationships with others, especially women.
In response to all the noise, men from across UWE and the wider Bristol community have come together to take part in a new project designed to promote positive masculinity.
UWE Jets basketball player Corey Samuels and UWE Bristol rugby player Louis James, as well as Students’ Union Vice Presidents Bethel Ekaette and Fayaz Abdul Kareem, represent the student voice in the video.
They are joined by the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, actor and radio presenter Joe Sims, and Professor Kieran McCartan, an academic and criminology expert who specialises in work tackling violence against women and girls.
They are using their voices and authentic experiences to attempt to answer the question of what it means to be a man in 2024. Together they hope to open up the wider conversation around masculinity and encourage others to reflect on their own behaviour and attitudes.
So, what does it mean to you?
Watch the video and join the conversation on social by using #WhatItMeansToBeAMan