Reading how to be male

Thursday, Jan 22, 2026, 08:15 PM | Source: Pursuit

Troy Potter

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There’s growing concern about the rise of harmful and aggressive forms of masculinity, whether at home, in schools or in public spaces.

Parents, educators and researchers are increasingly interested in how and where boys are learning these behaviours. The texts boys encounter – from picture books to social media – all play a role in shaping their understanding of what it means to be male.

Two young brothers lying on a bed reading a book together
Representations of men in the texts boys read can influence their understanding of masculinity. Picture: Getty Images

The influence of media on masculine identity

Boys and young men learn about masculinity in various ways, including watching other males, like Read the full article on Unimelb Pursuit...

University of Melbourne Researchers