Annual conference debunks masculinity myths
(5-15-06) BOSTON, Mass. - At the 6th Annual Boys to Men Conference, held in Portland, Maine on Friday May 12, a crowd of more than 300 learned that reaching manhood means understanding masculinity. Peter Roby, director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society gave the keynote presentation. In his address Roby stressed taking a leadership role in gender violence prevention and challenged the myths of athletics and masculinity that can perpetuate gender violence.
�We have to start to find the leadership and the masculinity in and out of sport,� Roby told the audience in his speech.
Prior to Roby taking the stage, students were welcomed with a video presentation, which was followed by a theatrical performance written and performed by boys from the Greater Portland Area and produced by Add Verb Productions. Workshops were held at two times during the day and ranged from art, fitness, and leisure, to discussions on issues specific to men.
After his speech Roby lead a workshop in the afternoon session. He addressed locker room culture with a small group of students. Roby initiated conversations on the problems that a locker room culture creates, such as bullying and violence against women.
Boys to Men, in partnership with The United Way of Greater Portland, the Portland Press Herald, and additional organizations work to reduce interpersonal violence among adolescent boys through advocacy, healthy development, and providing educational resources for the boys and those who raise them. The organization puts more responsibility on the community to create a positive environment for boys that is free of gender inequality and violence.
About the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University is one of the world�s leading social justice organizations that use sport to create social change both nationally and internationally. The flagship organization located in the heart of Boston, Mass. was founded in 1984 by Dr. Richard Lapchick and touts branches in Baltimore, Md. and Phoenix, Ariz. Through research, education, and advocacy the center promotes physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people and college and professional athletes. Sport in Society�s innovative programs are all staffed by former college or professional athletes and have been awarded America�s most successful violence prevention program by Lou Harris, the Peter F. Ducker Award as the most innovative non-profit program in the social sector, and have been cited as the National Crime Prevention Council�s 50 Best Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes. For more information please visit http://www.sportinsociety.org.
