Barbershop Blog

INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY

November 19, 2020

Celebrated annually on the 19th of November in around 80 countries around the world, International Men’s Day celebrates the positive value that men bring to the world, their families and communities. Each year the celebration is themed and this years is ‘Better health for men and boys’.

International Men's Day
Why do we need to celebrate International Men’s Day?

This is a gender focused event in an era of gender equality and some people may ask “why we need to celebrate an International Men’s Day?”. The answer lays in the fact that men and boys face a unique array of challenges and gender specific issues in modern society. International Men’s Day provides an opportunity to highlight and address some of these issues. The broader and ultimate aim of the event is to promote basic humanitarian values and the benefits of this should in no way be understated.


What are some of the gender specific issues faced by men and boys?

An egalitarian ideology seems somewhat romantic when compared to the reality facing many men today. That doesn’t however mean that it is not something to continue to strive for. International Men’s Day places a strong emphasis on the importance of positive role models and works to distinguish age old stereotypes and gender clichés like: ‘Man Up’, ‘Boys don’t cry’ or ‘get down to Bunnings and eat some cement princess”. There is nothing wrong with masculinity but the ‘toughen up’ attitude can have a real negative impact on males physical, mental and social health.


Take part in a global conversation about manhood, masculinity and men’s issues.

With the aim to make practical improvements to the health and wellbeing of the male population, this years theme is better health for men and boys. There are so many issues that can be raised within this discussion but there should also be a focus on celebrating men's achievements and contributions, in particular for their contributions to society, community, family, marriage, and childcare.

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