What does it mean to be a man?

Stark, mutig, ein Versorger und Beschützer – so sollte ein Mann sein, gemäß den Normen der ethnischen Gruppe der Didinga in Südsudan. Für Jugendliche ist es nicht immer leicht, solche traditionellen Ansprüche mit modernen Vorstellungen zu vereinbaren.

Einen Lkw zu fahren galt in Mexiko lange Zeit als Männerdomäne. Gefährliche Routen und lange, einsame Schichten bedurften scheinbar eines „starken Geschlechts“. Doch Frauen sind dabei, die alten Stereotype aufzubrechen.

Driving a truck was long viewed as man’s work in Mexico. It was presumed that only the “stronger sex” could handle the dangerous routes and long lonely shifts. Yet women are now breaking with these old stereotypes.

The modern man is in crisis. In Kenya, as elsewhere in Africa, he clings to distorted versions of masculinity that lead him into emotional incarceration. Indeed, though patriarchy promises freedom to men, it actually alienates them, pitting them against e

They’re back: men in power for whom masculinity and authoritarian leadership go hand in hand. This authoritarian masculinity cannot bear strong women or non-binary gender identities – nor democratic societies.

Men experience stalking, assaults and relationship violence too, but they rarely seek and find help. Series like “Baby Reindeer” challenge cliches, and new initiatives are trying to reach young people online.

At his university in Uganda, Godfrey Mukalazi was the only man to focus on gender studies. Today, he offers gender training for married couples.

Jean David Nkot is a painter and sculptor from Cameroon. Two of his artworks are featured in the D+C December issue.

The Centro Juana Azurduy in Sucre campaigns for gender equality – and to this end also works with men charged with violence against women. Therapy teaches them new ways of viewing gender roles that don’t involve violence.

The traditional image of the dominant man is currently experiencing a renaissance. At the same time, more men are advocating for equal rights and less rigid gender roles. Supporting them is important because both sexes stand to benefit.