Reimagining Masculinity by Teaching Emotional Intelligence

For decades if not centuries boys and men have been instructed to quotmanupquot and adhere to rules that desensitize feelings such asamp160quotdon39t cryquot or quotdon39t be a babyquotamp160 In today39s more female empowered and gender fluid societyamp160this inexpressive behavior no longer serves men or society wellamp160 Over the yearsamp160quotemotional intelligence has been a strength for women and now standsquot according to Myers asamp160quotthe most important and powerful quality for men to successfully navigate business life and the world around themquotWhat is emotional intelligenceamp160 Myers defines it as the intersection of selfmanagement selfawareness social awareness and relationship managementamp160 It requires that you embrace your authentic selfamp160 It starts with greater honesty better listening more respect and being a more effective communicatoramp160 These skills coupled with empathy collaboration and inclusionary actions open a pathway to respond to challenges in life and at work in a healthy mannerMyers observed that quotemotional intelligence is a new narrative for men and a simple catalyst to reimagine masculinity in today39s world even the entertainment media has caught onquotamp160 He points out that quotmedia images and portrayals of men are slowly shifting from Homer Simpson Peter Griffin ofamp160Family Guyamp160and Gordon Gecko to more emotionally connected and responsive men who are willing to changequotamp160 There is a saying in the women39s spaceamp160quotIf She Can See It She Can Be Itquotamp160 The same is true for all underrepresented groups and behaviors including men aspiring to a healthy masculinityamp160 Think of Tim Daly on Madame Secretary and the men on Modern Family and This is Usamp160 There is indisputable proof that positive onscreen portrayals can open opportunities for all people to break through stereotypesWith that said change from the entrenched male culture is slowamp160 The news media still tends to focus on the man that is trapped in The Man Box andor unwilling to changeamp160 This man values selfsufficiency toughness physical attractiveness rigid gender roles hypersexuality aggressioncontrol over women and heterosexuality versus homophobiaamp160 A recent study of The Man Box for men ages 1830 found that quotthose who conform to traditional definitions of manhood amp160dubbed 39the man box39 amp160are twice as likely to consider suicide and seven times more likely to be violent towards othersquotChange is never easy however it has never been more critical than it is todayamp160 A healthier masculinity exists and there are new rules for men to play by built on the wisdom of emotional intelligenceamp160 The time is now for men who are trying to live by and evangelize new strategiesamp160 This is the new framework for future generations of men who will impact the lives of our sons and daughtersTo help audience members jumpstart their personal journey toward emotional intelligence Myers provided strategies for selfmanagement selfawareness social awareness and relationship managementamp160 For example he illustrated the importance of being aware of unhealthy patterns that you continue to repeatamp160 Whether it is seeking approval from an emotionally distant parent or listening to alcohol instead of your head and heart he acknowledged that we all have blueprints deep inside of us and can all contribute to building a healthier society if we are aware and break free of the negativeWhile these strategies were designed for men they also apply to womenamp160 quotThere is no men39s only or women39s only teamquot Myers declaredamp160 quotIt39s all coed which becomes the starting point for emotional intelligencequotamp160 He ended his keynote with a personal mantra he recited with the audience starting with a message of empowerment quotI own my futurequotThe remainder of the conference was full of strategies for and examples of healthy masculinityamp160 What struck me at the end was that raw emotions were on display throughout the day as several male speakers and audience members did in fact cry as they shared their challenges and personal journeysPhoto and video by Christian TaylorClick the social buttons above or below to share this story with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writers

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Reimagining Masculinity by Teaching Emotional Intelligence

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Mary Ellen Holden

FEMA and the Ad Council Encourage AANHPI Communities to Enhance Disaster Preparedness in New PSAs - Ad Council InSites

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Reimagining Masculinity by Teaching Emotional Intelligence

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Mary Ellen Holden

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