This report synthesizes primary research conducted by Probex Consulting, as well as several secondary sources. The primary research by Probex Consulting was on the programs of 4 of the RNP grantees in the Young Men and Boys Portfolio. These programs were CORO’s GLDP, PRADAN’s Yuwashastra, Swayam’s “Towards Violence Free Communities” and The Gender Lab Boys’ Program. The research outputs were stand-alone reports for the first 3 programs, and a presentation for the fourth.
This report is also based on two types of secondary research, as well as materials produced on the Young Men and Boys grantees for the purposes of knowledge transfer and communication. In addition to the secondary research conducted specifically for this synthesis, this report draws from a literature review by Probex Consulting for Arpan. This review examined findings on the relationship between the age of a child and retention, from the research on child sexual abuse, dating violence and bullying, to investigate the extent to which these bodies of literature agree that older children experience poorer retention, on the reasons why and how to improve it.
RNP’s Male Engagement Portfolio
May 04, 2023
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Key Questions
- To what extent do male adolescents and adults believe these projects benefit them personally, and in what ways?
- Compared to the other benefits that these projects provide, to what extent do male adolescents and adults value the opportunity to embrace alternative masculinities?
- What have been the unanticipated outcomes of these projects?
- To what extent have projects with an explicit intent to build critical thinking in male adolescents and adults been able to do so?
- How do these programs compare with one another, in terms of their content and structure, length, the role of the peer group and the age of participants?
- What do the female family members and friends of male participants know about these projects? What changes in male participants have female family members and friends observed, and what is their opinion of these projects?
Research Partner: Probex Consulting
Key TAKEAWAYS
1. The 8 men engagement programs that participated in this study had diverse Theories of Change but there were some commonalities. Most hypothesized that young men were motivated to participate in their programs either because they could gain transferable skills in the process, or because they already had aspirations that masculinities constrained them from achieving (and sometimes both).
2. This study tested these Theories of Change, and found that the opportunity to gain skills was more compelling for participants than embracing alternative masculinities.
3. Rigorous qualitative research with men and boys, as well as the women and girls in their lives, was found to be effective in testing these Theories of Change, and in investigating unintended outcomes.
