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We Need To Talk About Masculinity

The film We Need To Talk About Masculinity is our newest addition to EasySRE.net and it’s presented like a true-crime documentary in which a series of characters talk about an incident in school between our lead characters, Max and Sophie. Max is persuaded to ask Sophie out on a date but when she rejects him, Sophie’s friends starts spreading rumours about Max. Spurred on by bad advice from Niall and skewed social media content, Max starts to bombard Sophie with texts until her confronts her, angrily at some lockers. Luckily a teacher, Mr Timms, intervenes. Max comes to see the error of his ways and the film ends with Max and Sophie sharing their experiences to the film crew.

“Great work! This will be a great resource to get our young people reflecting and talking about masculinity.” Kelly Adcock from Harmful Sexual Behaviour Team, Walsall Council.

“I feel so proud to be part of this resource, the young people are amazing. It bought tears to my eyes it really did.” Carol Harris from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.

The key incident – of Max angrily confronting Sophie – and people’s responses to it, helps the viewer to think about healthy masculinity. The film highlights the importance of communicating with one another, not bottling up emotion (especially when it comes to rejection and shame), getting good advice from people you trust (and being aware that not everyone gives good advice), the careful use of social media, and respect for others and one’s self.

In a light touch way that translates well to the target age group (12-16 years of age), while not pulling any punches, the film showcases the spiralling circumstances that can lead to verbal and physical harassment, as well as physical and cyber-stalking. Importantly, especially in the school setting, it shows that personal and group responsibility have a vital part to play in nurturing healthy masculinity. We see how people around the two central characters – friends, teachers, older siblings, step-father – affect their decision-making.

Find out more about EasySRE.

“Its a great resource!! Very impressive, it allows for lots of different avenues of discussion and debate for pupils to follow as led by a professional from various different agencies involved with that age group. I could imagine the film being used all over the country in schools for PSHE lessons and debates in tutor time etc. Very thought provoking generally!” Richard Knight (Headteacher) from Amberleigh Therapeutic School, Welshpool. Watch the behind-the-scenes slideshow below.

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