I used to spend my time arguing for why we need to engage men and boys in ending violence against women. Now I spend much more time arguing for how.
Michael Flood
Professor, Queensland University of Technology
About This Episode
In this episode, Matt and Tenille speak with Professor Michael Flood from Queensland University of Technology — one of Australia's leading researchers on men, masculinities, and violence prevention. Michael unpacks what it takes to genuinely engage men and boys in preventing domestic and sexual violence, from what works in face-to-face education to why building communities of support matters as much as the programs themselves. It's a nuanced and hopeful conversation about language, the limits of "toxic masculinity" as a frame, what the Man Box research tells us, and what it means to do this work well.
Key Takeaways
-
1
The field has shifted from why to how
There is now widespread community acceptance that men and boys have a positive role to play in ending violence — the more urgent question is how to engage them effectively, which requires work that is informed, participatory, sustained, and tailored to context.
-
2
One-off sessions don't cut it
Effective work with men and boys isn't a single one-hour session — it requires comprehensive, whole-of-institution approaches that address not just individuals but the community and structural factors shaping the problem.
-
3
The "men in crisis" narrative needs unpacking
The right question to ask is "a crisis for which men, and what kind of crisis?" — because real disadvantages exist, but they are shaped by masculine norms, class, ethnicity, and history, not by feminism or the gains of women.
-
4
Language is doing a lot of heavy lifting
The phrase "toxic masculinity" is frequently misheard as a critique of all men rather than of harmful norms — the Man Box offers a more accessible frame, helping men see themselves as constrained by expectations rather than attacked as individuals.
-
5
Most men are already with you — they just don't know it
Men consistently overestimate other men's comfort with violence and underestimate their own willingness to speak up; building communities of support and using social norms strategies helps individuals recognise they are part of a silent majority, not isolated outliers.
Topics Covered
Resources Mentioned
- XY Online — Michael's long-running website and the largest online resource on men and masculinities; accessible for parents, educators, practitioners, and policymakers alike
- The Man Box Research — Jesuit Social Services' landmark Australian research on masculine norms, discussed throughout this episode
About Michael
Michael Flood
Professor, Queensland University of Technology
Professor Michael Flood is an internationally recognised researcher at Queensland University of Technology whose work focuses on men, masculinities, and violence prevention. With over three decades of experience bridging research, community education, and pro-feminist advocacy, he has made significant contributions to understanding how men and boys can play positive roles in preventing domestic and sexual violence. He is the founder of XY Online and author of Engaging Men and Boys in Violence Prevention.
Enjoying It Depends?
Subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Listen on your favourite platform
Get updates in your inbox
Connect with us
Follow First Person Consulting