#169 Embracing Healthy Masculinity: Empowering Boys and Challenging Norms (with Brendan Kwiatkowski, Ph.D.)

On this episode of #mensexpleasure, I chat with Dr. Brendan Kwiatkowski. Brendan is a researcher and educator focused on the social-emotional wellbeing of adolescents and understanding the role that gender plays in that equation—particularly masculinity. His PhD research from the University of Edinburgh investigated teenage boys’ experiences and beliefs about being male and compared their experiences based on their levels of emotional expression. He is a mixed-methods researcher and believes very strongly in positive-focused and person-centred research that humanizes and empowers participants, as well in research that is transformative and practically useful for people in the real-world. He is from and lives in Vancouver, BC, has three kids and prior to his PhD was a high school teacher.

Key points:

Brendan introduces himself
Discussion on toxic masculinity and its nuances
Critique of the term and deliberate misunderstandings to attack masculinity
Responses of teenage boys to masculine pressures
Young men and emotional restriction
Importance of multiple ways of being a man and role of fathers in shaping masculine identities
Creating emotional safe havens for teenage boys and the need for outlets outside romantic relationships

Relevant links:

Brendan’s website: https://remasculine.com/ 

Brendan’s Instagram: @re.msculine 

Brendan’s TikTok: remasculine