GENTLEmen is a master’s thesis that explores gender identity, masculinity, stereotyping, parenting, education, and male culture. Specifically, Andrew has been investigating the restrictive nature placed on men to conform to a masculine ideal that can be destructive to themselves and to those around them. The overarching initiative of this thesis is to challenge the influential adults in boys’ lives to rethink the stereotypes they project onto boys and instead encourage traditionally feminine traits.
Over the last 30 years through the feminist movement, most would acknowledge there has been a significant movement to teach girls traditionally masculine traits. This thesis argues we need a similar, foundational shift to specifically teach boys feminine traits. Given all the forces against ‘feminine’ behavior in boys, we need to push the pendulum past the center.
This book is a compilation of Andrew’s research, interviews, reflections, and design proposals over a year long thesis process
