Safe Men’s Space
Welcome to our blog, where we share the exciting journey of the group Safe (men) We are a motley mix of Henriette, Jasmijn, Roxy, Nanouk and Robbin. Together we form a powerful unit of five, all studying at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, and we are in our second year of the Social Work program.
Today we dive into our topic - Men. What have we discovered, what steps have we taken, and what are our findings? Well, sit back and let us take you on this fascinating journey!
So, what did we explore? Well, actually, we merged two different topics into one tasty blend. Nanouk, Jasmijn and Robbin looked at how men can take responsibility when it comes to sexually transgressive behavior, while Roxy and Henriette delved into the impact of traditional masculinity on queer men.
Why did we bring these two topics together? Because they are actually more related than you might think at first glance. The influence of traditional masculinity extends to both groups of men, albeit in different ways. We wanted to understand how these influences affect their sense of responsibility and experience of masculinity, and how this affects their daily lives, especially during college.
Our target audience? Well, we target cis men and queer men between the ages of 18 and 25 who are studying. Why? Because we believe that a safe campus is not just a concept, but should be a reality that is palpable to the men who actually walk around on campus. We had conversations with men in these age groups and their desire for change is really palpable.
We started creating surveys for cis men and queer men to gather their experiences and perspectives. When the surveys didn't provide enough information, we initiated our "Stepping Stones”. This means that we have engaged our network of "Frontier Men" and the HVA to gain more insight into our topic and how the faculty of the HVA itself deals with the unwritten rules of masculinity.
And what is our ultimate goal? To create awareness. We want to provide a platform where men can talk candidly with each other, share their emotions and build understanding of each other's perspectives. It is crucial that men have a safe space where they can be themselves without fear of criticism.
So, let's work together to create a campus where everyone feels at home, regardless of their gender identity or expression. Together, we can effect change and create a safer environment for all. Will you join us?
