Beyond safe spaces: youth work’s role in shaping brave conversations on masculinities

This article explores how youth work can challenge harmful stereotypes affecting boys and young men, and how a human rights-based framework can support youth workers in challenging harmful gender norms. It draws on Imagine a Man, a four-year YouthLink Scotland research and development project which examined what it means to be a boy or young man and identified conditions for fostering positive masculinities. The project combined youth-led research, capacity building, and reflective practice. The output was a toolkit designed to support practitioners in empowering young people to challenge gender norms. The findings highlight youth work’s unique ability to support critical dialogue on masculinities. By moving beyond ‘safe’ spaces to ‘brave’ spaces practitioners can engage young people in honest conversations that address social pressures and stereotypes. We demonstrate how Imagine a Man’s collaborative approach contributed to broadening the conversation on masculinity, promoting a culture of human rights, empathy, inclusivity, and respect.