“Melinda has become a leading voice on the effects that pornography is having on boys growing up in the 21st century”: MTR interviewed by Conviction Men’s Health
Interview: Melinda Tankard Reist on healthy relationships, masculinity and the Conviction Group Forums By Harry Easton Conviction Group was delighted to welcome writer and social commentator Melinda Tankard Reist to the Sydney North Young Men’s Health Forum in September. The Young Men’s Health Forum is an event run by Conviction Group which aims to encourage […]
Building good young men: a transformative message for your boys: new vid
Helping boys be their best selves Many of you are aware I am now presenting my ‘Navigating a Se*ed Up World’ to more young men around the country. Because of the demand – and because he is so good at engaging young people! – I now have Daniel Principe speaking alongside me more regularly. Sydney-based […]
MTR discusses harms of porn culture with former deputy PM John Anderson
“You’re not going to have good, considerate, emotionally-literate boys when you present them with an idea that girls exist for their gratification and pleasure” I was very pleased to be invited to discuss my work addressing sexualisation, objectification and harms of pornography and porn culture with former deputy PM John Anderson, for his ‘Conversations’ podcast. […]
MTR + Richie Hardcore: take on porn culture in address to young men
Confronting the harmful impacts of porn on boys: and encouraging them to aspire to healthy relationships When I first heard the name ‘Richie Hardcore’ I thought maybe he was an ex porn ‘star’ now going ‘hard’ against porn. Turned out it was his ring (fighting) name and related to a sub-genre of punk music. A […]
The Australian mocks a man’s tears: harms moves to encourage emotionally healthy men
MTR’s (unpublished) letter to the editor Dear Editor Two months ago, you ran a profoundly affecting extract from a new book by former MP Craig Emerson (‘Out of the Darkness’, Weekend Australian Magazine, Feb 24). Emerson wrote candidly of the trauma and violence he suffered as a child, revealing a man in touch with his […]
Young men speaking up: a tipping point for behavioural change?
Meet Ethan. He’s 15 and a student at Knox Grammar School, Sydney. Ethan did something no 15-year-old boys have ever done, in my years as a speaker. He heard me speak at the Justice Conference in Melbourne late last year and decided his fellow classmates needed to hear my message. So what did he do? […]
Quiksilver dumps ‘Sweet Paradise’ sexed-up hoodie for primary school boys after protest
Gone in 24 hours. But why does this keep happening? Well that was quick. On Tuesday afternoon I posted on my social media pages this hoodie for primary school aged boys. It was found in the Canberra outlet store of surf style chain shop Quiksilver, which describes itself as ‘The World’s Leader in Snow and […]
How to bring an end to toxic masculinity: MTR and US author Robert Jensen in conversation Sydney May 26
Re-imagining a new world where violence and coercion at the heart of subordination of women are no more Robert Jensen is a professor in the School of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches courses in media law, ethics and politics. I first came across Robert’s work when I read his […]
When men speak out: Men against UltraTune Sexism
Very encouraging to see large numbers of men condemning UltraTune for its ultra sexist ads. As published by Collective Shout
Feeling Special: Zoo’s last issue and Tyler’s new song dedicated to us
Tyler’s ‘F—k It: a tantrum set to music It’s not every day you get a magazine and a song dedicated to you. But this week, my friends and I received both. Now defunct Lad’s Mag Zoo Weekly devoted its final issue to us with this cover. Apparently, protesting the objectification of women and messages promoting […]
Zoo shuts down: one less vehicle for sexism and promotion of male entitlement
Collective Shout takes credit for hastening Zoo’s demise: Coles dumping title was ‘catastrophic for sales’ Four months ago, young Melbourne activist and designer Laura Pintur, 23, launched a campaign through Collective Shout calling on Coles and Woolworths supermarket to act consistent with their corporate social responsibility, ethical framework, care for communities and commitment to safety […]
The Mask You Live In: Challenging harmful cultural messages about masculinity – Brisbane premiere Monday + new Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide screenings
One of the most moving experiences I have had a speaker addressing young people around the country, took place about a year ago when a Year 11 student in a WA secondary school stood to his feet during the discussion time following my talk on how our culture shaped boys views of themselves in negative […]