English summary

Cliché-free development opportunities for boys (and girls) 

There is more than one good way to be a boy. Boys often experience that their behaviour is described as “too boyish” or “not manly enough”. Simplistic attributions and restrictive images of boys and masculinity limit boys‘ scope for development. 

At the same time, we live in a time in which stereotypical gender images are breaking down. This means new and expanded options, but also leads to uncertainty. Boys and young men need guidance and support to find their own way and position themselves as boys and men. This requires reliable services, structures, places and people that offer them perspectives of caring masculinity as an option beyond traditional images of men. It also holds out the prospect of role models for personal self-care. 

Supporting differences and equality 

Promoting diverse masculinities and ways of life is an integral part of the founding story of BFM and a fundamental pillar of gender-equal men’s policy. Men are differentiated in terms of their ethnic, social and other classifications. They have different sexual orientations, different levels of education, experiences of discrimination and privileges. Their life chances are just as different from one another. BFM supports the diversity of men. At the same time, however, we also stand against discrimination and in favour of models of masculinity that advocate equality. 

Better conditions for active fathers

For many fathers, it is important to actively support their children’s development right from the start. Many fathers no longer want to be the only “family breadwinner”. They want to share responsibility for the family income and family work as partners. In reality, however, care and paid work is still unequally distributed between women and men: Men take less parental leave and are significantly less likely to work part-time than women. What is needed is a gender equality policy that makes it easier for men to be active and committed fathers 

The Federal Forum Men sees the need for a gender-sensitive support of senior men entering retirement.

Men’s health is different

Men differ from one another, and so does their health. Nevertheless, men still have an average life expectancy that is almost five years shorter than women’s. Men’s health behaviour differs from that of women: Many men have different risk behaviours, use prevention or early detection services less frequently or later, and deal with physical and psychological stress and crisis situations differently. 

However, a man’s health is not only determined by how he deals with it individually. It is also shaped by a variety of other factors, such as socio-economic situation, milieu, cultural background or sexual orientation. In this respect, it is important to take a differentiated look at health issues specific to boys and men and to bring more gender sensitivity to the topic of health overall. 

Men and counseling – breaking the taboo

Men’s counseling actively incorporates the impact of stereotypes and masculinity demands. It provides support for boys, men, and fathers in various challenging life situations. The Federal Forum for Men offers its own platform through the Men’s Counseling Network for men seeking advice.

Shaping transitions in a gender-sensitive way

For many men, their working life is enormously formative and leaving work marks the end of a key life stage. It is often a challenge to actively shape the transition to the retirement stage of life and to establish a new day-to-day structures. A gender-sensitive policy for the elderly creates conditions and structures for a good life in the post-working phase. Men in particular who have retired from working life need support and encouragement to open up new perspectives and remain active. 

Violence also affects men

Masculinity and violence were and are closely linked historically and culturally. Many boys, men and fathers have experienced violence or have been exposed to violence. Violence takes many forms: physical, psychological, sexual or economic. 

Women are predominantly affected by sexualized violence in public and domestic violence – men are usually the perpetrators. Nevertheless, it is wrong to see men per se and exclusively as (potential) perpetrators. Not all men are or become perpetrators. It also ignores the fact that boys and men are also affected by violence – whether in public spaces, in partnerships, in the family and domestic sphere, in care or in child and youth work. The vulnerability of men – the fact that men can also become victims of (sexualized) violence – must be recognized and removed from the taboo.  

At the same time, it is important to understand that the violence that occurs at men’s life stages is mostly male violence. Thus, men also have a special interest in breaking the nexus of men, aggression and violence.  

Redefining work – more balance between work and private life for men

Paid work and unpaid care work are still unequally distributed between the sexes. When we say “work”, we generally mean gainful employment. Care work, on the other hand, is easily overlooked. Yet caring for children and family, housework and relatives is essential for society. 

Getting out of the “breadwinner trap” means new role models and an equal coexistence of gainful employment and care work for both men and women. Ensuring equal opportunities for all genders requires eliminating structural disadvantages and gender stereotypes.