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Toxic Masculinity

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Toxic Masculinity

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Tackling a culture of sexism in our schools.

Why is this important?

We know that casual sexism and Toxic Masculinity is engrained cultural problem. It exists in schools, in families, in work places and in the media around us.

For the sake of mental physical and emotional welfare of our next generation this culture needs to change.

  • Mental health problems amongst the young are increasing
  • Male suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45
  • Bullying for reasons of gender and sexuality is a serious issue in and out of school
  • Social Media can act as a vessel for quickly spreading toxic masculinity

How did the performance come about?

Sudden Impulse Theatre Company first got involved with this vitally important topic when one of our own members found themselves involved in the darkest side of toxic masculinity and we witnessed firsthand the devastating impact this can have on a seemingly normal, happy person who on the outside has not a care in the world. We were also able to see the inspiring educational work of the charity “A Call to Men “and their “Step Up” programme can transform lives.

We wanted to show how the problems that are related to Toxic masculinity are not individual problems that can be tackled alone but a culture that all elements need to be recognised as having their own impact before a change can begin. We also want to show that this culture of Toxic Masculinity can have negative impacts on both boys and girls as they develop their minds.

Our thirty minute theatre piece is designed to show many of the aspects of everyday life where casual sexism and toxic masculinity has an almost unseen presence which can all too easily be dismissed. The piece is made up of six sections and each section comes with a lesson plan and resources pack.

How can you use this performance?

  • The performance can exist on its own as a catalyst to begin the discussion. Teachers can pick up the themes explored in the piece in their own time and their own way.
  • The six lesson plans and resource – provided as part of the booking , can form the basis of a six week (Half term) programme activities for tutorial Health and Well-being sessions.
  • The piece can enhance the wider training programme from “A Call to Men UK”

 

Technical Specifications

The piece is designed to be performed in any space we provide all the props and required technical equipment. Set up time is approximately 30 minutes and strike time 15 minutes.

We can perform in any space  with a stage approximately  6m x 3m ,  if required we could also fit into a classroom.  However, we do believe that to have the greatest impact the audience need to feel involved, an over large cavernous space can make students feel isolated and not engage with the piece. A regular size school hall with a stage and adequate sight lines would be ideal. We would estimate that an audience of about 100 would be the optimum or perhaps up to an entire year group depending on size.

What age group is this aimed for?

We firmly believe that this education process needs to start at a very early age, we are involved with creating a dialogue which will change a culture – although we are not claiming that we will do this on our own! So we think that this work should be rolled out across the entire secondary  age group from Year 7 – 11 and indeed in years 12 & 13. However we know that you have to start somewhere as such it might be to start in Year 9. You may want to ask us in to deliver a number of performances across different year groups.

In an ideal world we would also be taking this to primary schools  but for now we are starting with secondary schools and the Youth Justice Service.

What is the legacy?

Obviously we hope that after the performance a conversation will arise, we also hope that the six week programme of lessons will not be the end of it but the start of a culture change. We would like to see schools create champions of this work amongst students and staff. We know this can have a very positive impact on the mental health of young people.

We would also appreciate your feedback not just on the performance and sessions but on the continual work which this leads to.

 

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