It Takes Two: Coaching boys into men
If you’re a son, grandson, nephew or even just a younger brother – sooner or later you find yourself addressing them as “young man”. So, just where exactly is this coming from? When do they become “young men”? Swamped with influences outside of home -friends, television, the internet, music, movies…boys hear all kinds of messages about what it means to “be a man”. Is it really about being tough and in control? There are numerous conflicting and harmful messages given to boys about what it means to “be a man” in a relationship.
The boys in your life need your time and energy. Boys are watching how you and other men relate to women to figure out their own equation. They need you to show them that being a man does not imply domination. It does not amount to disrespect, abuse and violence against women.
The Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) campaign launched by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, USA aims to do just this. The campaign engages athletic coaches to help shape the attitudes and behaviors of young male athletes. Athletic coaches play an extremely influential and unique role in the lives of young men; often serving as a parent or mentor to the boys they coach. Because of these special relationships, coaches are poised to positively influence how young men think and behave both on, and off, the field. From speeches to the team, practice sessions, or simply casual conversation, coaches have many opportunities to impart their philosophies to athletes.
The program equips coaches to talk with their athletes about respecting women and girls and that violence doesn’t equal strength. The CBIM Playbook is a core component of the Coaches Leadership Program that provides “teach-easy” tactics and teachable moments that illustrate ways to role model and promote healthy choices and relationships among youth. The CBIM Coaches Kit helps coaches integrate the lessons of the Playbook into weekly trainings throughout their athletic season. The Coaches Kit guides coaches through each training session to address respect, integrity, and non-violence with athletes. To order your own personal kit visit click here.
FVPF invites men to be a part of the solution by teaching boys that being a man means a lot more than just being ‘in control’.
So teach boys early, and teach them often, that there is no place for violence in a relationship. Be a man: Be a Role Model.
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