Jessica Micallef
Challenging traditional masculine stereotypes in the Macedon Ranges will be the focus of a new study by researchers at youth mental healthy organisation Orygen.
Supported by the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network and VicHealth through the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention trial site, the study will involve surveying 1000 members of the Macedon Range community and conducting interviews and focus groups to help understand how the attitudes and behaviours of men and boys in the region align with traditional stereotypes and how this may impact on the risk of doing and experiencing harm.
The results from the study will provide recommendations for the promotion of healthier masculinities within the Macedon Ranges.
Orygen’s associate professor Simon Rice, who is leading the project, said the study will support the long-term vision of transformational change and local men’s behaviours and attitudes to masculine stereotypes.
“While the primary focus of the project will involve collecting data and analysing the attitudes and behaviours of boys and men in the Macedon Ranges region, the beneficiaries of the project will be the whole community,” he said.
“In driving longer term reduction in men doing and experiencing harm, a healthier community will benefit all.”
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