Healthy Masculinity Campus Conversations and Town Halls: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why “Healthy Masculinity?”

"Healthy Masculinity" shapes MCSR's positive approach to addressing and mobilizing men and boys against gender-based violence. The Healthy Masculinity Campus Conversation or Town Hall can support efforts to replace unhealthy masculine social norms and behaviors with healthier, nonviolent masculine prosocial norms in order to create a safer campus or community culture.

2. How is a Healthy Masculinity Campus Conversation or Town Hall structured?

The event begins ideally with a welcome and then the introduction of three to four storytellers, who share their personal stories related to masculinity. After they have finished, the room is opened up to conversation by two facilitators who might ask what the stories bring up for participants in relation to unhealthy and healthy masculinity. Participants offer their insights and experiences, and facilitators might suggest deeper investigation of a particular theme or idea raised by the participants. At the end, facilitators and participants focus on takeaways.

3. Why are the storytellers important?

MCSR believes that stories build our capacity to empathize with and see the humanity in others. When the storytellers tell their personal stories, they share their honest, authentic selves, and participants respond positively to that authenticity. Storytellers are key to opening up the space for sincere and empathetic dialogue and conversation. They give others permission to be authentic.

4. What skills do the facilitators need? 

It is helpful if facilitators have some expertise in masculinity, although not necessary. It is most important that facilitators be skilled at asking compelling questions, making insightful connections, and sharing their authentic selves. Facilitators have to be willing and able to think on their feet and to let the conversation develop organically. A good Healthy Masculinity Campus Conversation or Town Hall facilitator should be deeply curious about what the participants have to say.

5. How long is a Healthy Masculinity Campus Conversation or Town Hall?

Depending on the size of the group and the number of storytellers, the event can take anywhere from an hour-and-a-half to two hours.

6. How many people attend a Healthy Masculinity Campus Conversation or Town Hall?

50 to 100 has been the most common number of participants, though we have facilitated some great Campus Conversations and Town Halls with 25 to 30 people. More than 100 people decreases the intimacy of the conversation.

7. Who attends?

The makeup of the participants is up to the people coordinating the event. It can be mixed gendered groups or exclusively men who attend. You can organize a conversation for a specific group on your campus or in your community (Greek life, sports clubs, athletes, a specific dorm, law enforcement, city council, etc.), or you can open it up to anyone. The decision is yours.

8. How can MCSR help you organize a Healthy Masculinity Campus Conversation or Town Hall?

The Healthy Masculinity Campus Conversation or Town Hall is part of MCSR’s Training and Technical Services. We can provide you with a guide, a task and timeline, and a sample agenda. We can conduct a webinar to prepare the storytellers and facilitators. We can also play a role in facilitating the conversation. We can help you every step of the way.