What we are doing about it
How might your life have been different if, when you were a young man uncertain about something you could not begin to explain, or overwhelmed by the power of your own emotion, that there had been a place where you could sit with older men who would acknowledge your anger and confusion and witness your truth without advice or judgment?
How might your life have been different if, as a young man struggling to find out who you were, you knew of a place where you could ground yourself – a place of safety where you were recognised and confirmed and would find support, appropriate challenge and truth?
How might life have been different if, when you were at odds with authority or your closest friends, there had been a place for you where your dreams and aspirations could be received and listened to by a circle of men you respected – men who had worked deeply with the truth of their own lives?
Abandofbrothers believe that many social problems can be alleviated if young men are provided with appropriate personal support, engagement and attention in their local community.
aBandofBrothers are working towards a society where young men and their families are supported through the difficult transition into manhood.
Through our activities, we aim to:
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- Assist young men in making a healthy transition to adult manhood so that they emerge purposeful, inspired and confident in their own unique skills and abilities.
- Encourage communities to provide safe, structured and supportive rites of passage experiences for young men.
- Train and support professionals working with young men to be more effective in engaging and mentoring young men.
- Through community partnerships, offer training to youth professionals and create strong local support networks that young men can call upon in times of need.
- Encourage closer interactions between young men, their fathers and other positive male role models and also with other members of their family and community.
- Raise general awareness around the vital importance of community based support for young men and encourage open dialogue on the issues affecting them.
- Work to redirect the money spent on punishing youth toward re-educating them to live purposeful, ecologically responsible and humanly sensitive lives.
The Problem
Men account for 8 out of 10 people cautioned by the police, and nearly 9 out of 10 people found guilty for indictable offences are men. Men are responsible for 97% of burglary and 92% of violence against the person.
The Causes
Our society is largely stalled at adolescence. Many adult men relish and prolong adolescence for decades. It’s tempting to blame and punish disaffected youth but a range of adolescent psychopathologies are evident in many adult men across the social spectrum.
Our Programmes
aBandofBrothers offers a range of programmes that provides training to would be mentors as well as mentees. Information on additional courses and programmes will follow shortly so please revisit soon.
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