A relational-cultural framework for promoting healthy masculinities.

Abstract

We present a conceptual framework for relational interventions focused on helping boys and men navigate harmful socialization occurring in U.S. dominant culture, one which upholds a restrictive image of manhood that gives rise to health problems and social injustice. Drawing from relational-cultural theory, we frame the crises linked to hegemonic masculine socialization as shaped by interpersonal and sociocultural disconnections that keep boys and men in rigid confines of what is expected of “real men,” which are detrimental to their well-being and operate to maintain oppression and violence. To work against the relational and societal ways that hegemonic masculinity is taught and reinforced, we view boys’ and men’s experiences in connection with others and in community as the central context in which healthy masculinities develop. Experiences in growth-fostering relationships of empathy, mutuality, and empowerment can help boys and men reject hegemonic relational dynamics and promote human capacities for vulnerability, connection, and compassion into healthy and flexible ways of being men in the world. We view these relational experiences as critical to prevention, health promotion, and social change efforts at the social, community, and systems levels. To that end, we offer recommendations for interventions to engage boys and men in collectively dismantling hegemonic masculinity and developing healthy masculinities.

An intersectional perspective on relational-cultural theory: Commentary on Di Bianca and Mahalik (2022).

“…Research provides evidence that relationships and wellness are influenced by discrimination and oppression (see Alvarez et al, 2016). Consistent with the main tenets of RCT, Di Bianca and Mahalik (2022) cite several studies that demonstrate how pressures associated with masculinity have an interaction effect with a measure of racism. Their discussion, however, should be deepened.…”

“…Second, the main assumptions of the universality of this application of RCT need to be examined. Differences in emphasis and expression of emotion and/or masculinity have been noted based on culture of origin (e.g., Arciniega et al, 2008; Lease et al, 2013; Matsumoto et al, 2008, Song & Liang, 2019; Yeung et al, 2015) and are, as noted by Di Bianca and Mahalik (2022), influenced by racism in the United States (U.S.; e.g., Powell et al, 2016). However, a foregrounding of the intersections in their applications is needed.…”

“…Rules are conveyed implicitly (e.g., disapproving looks) and explicitly (e.g., "toughen up") across different contexts with consequences for rule violations that range from the slight to the violent. Di Bianca and Mahalik (2022) argued that the effect of how boys are socialized to be hyper-independent and avoid expressing emotions may shape their well-being and capacity to develop emotional intimacy long after their formative years. They proposed the use of relational-cultural theory (RCT) as a foundation for restoring and reclaiming humanity among boys and men and thereby promoting psychological health.…”

“…This brief commentary to “A Relational-Cultural Framework for Promoting Health Masculinities” by Michael Di Bianca and James R. Mahalik (2022) provides an intersectional lens by which to view and apply their proposed framework. This commentary is offered as a way to deepen thinking of the diversity of men’s experiences and how emotions, relationships, and masculinities may operate within the context of racism and cultural values.…”

From promoting healthy masculinities to nurturing healthy humans and societies: Commentary on Di Bianca and Mahalik (2022).

“…“A Relational-Cultural Framework for Promoting Healthy Masculinities” presents compelling evidence of both the harms of hegemonic masculinity and the promise of nurturing the nature of boys and men toward health and liberation. Di Bianca and Mahalik (2022) use relational-cultural theory (RCT) to foreground the relational nature of humans and the situatedness of our relationships within cultural contexts. They state that “RCT addresses how systems of oppression silence authenticity, keep people isolated, and maintain injustice” (Di Bianca & Mahalik, 2022, p. 322), and they argue that authentic relationships—with each other and ourselves—are a pathway to healing.…”