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. 2014 Jun;104(6):1029-35.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301820. Epub 2014 Apr 17.

"Real men don't": constructions of masculinity and inadvertent harm in public health interventions

Paul J Fleming  1 , Joseph G L Lee, Shari L Dworkin
Affiliations

"Real men don't": constructions of masculinity and inadvertent harm in public health interventions

Paul J Fleming et al. Am J Public Health. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Research shows that constraining aspects of male gender norms negatively influence both women's and men's health. Messaging that draws on norms of masculinity in health programming has been shown to improve both women's and men's health, but some types of public health messaging (e.g., Man Up Monday, a media campaign to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections) can reify harmful aspects of hegemonic masculinity that programs are working to change. We critically assess the deployment of hegemonic male norms in the Man Up Monday campaign. We draw on ethical paradigms in public health to challenge programs that reinforce harmful aspects of gender norms and suggest the use of gender-transformative interventions that challenge constraining masculine norms and have been shown to have a positive effect on health behaviors.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Print marketing material for the Man Up Monday campaign. Source. http://www.mondaycampaigns.org/man-up-monday.
FIGURE 2—
FIGURE 2—
Print marketing material for the Man Up Monday campaign. Credit: http://www.mondaycampaigns.org/man-up-monday.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Fleming et al. respond.
    Fleming PJ, Lee JG, Dworkin SL. Fleming PJ, et al. Am J Public Health. 2014 Oct;104(10):e1-2. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302128. Epub 2014 Aug 14. Am J Public Health. 2014. PMID: 25122016 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • On the value of the "Man Up Monday" campaign.
    Johnson ML, Reeder RN. Johnson ML, et al. Am J Public Health. 2014 Oct;104(10):e1. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302107. Epub 2014 Aug 14. Am J Public Health. 2014. PMID: 25122023 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

References

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    1. National Prevention Information Network. New Man Up Monday Campaign doubles STD testing of young men in Virginia trial by Planned Parenthood. 2012 Available at: http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/display/NewsDisplay.asp?NewsNbr=60626. Accessed May 20, 2013.
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