Name: A call to men
Uploaded: 2010-12-09T22:25:00Z
Duration: 10 min 56 s
Description: At TEDWomen, Tony Porter makes a call to men everywhere: Don't "act like a man." Telling powerful stories from his own life, he shows how this mentality, drummed into so many men and boys, can lead men to disrespect, mistreat and abuse women and each other. His solution: Break free of the "man box."

Tony Porter: A call to men

A call to men

At TEDWomen, Tony Porter makes a call to men everywhere: Don't "act like a man." Telling powerful stories from his own life, he shows how this mentality, drummed into so many men and boys, can lead men to disrespect, mistreat and abuse women and each other. His solution: Break free of the "man box."

Rigid ideas about manhood teach boys to hide their feelings, dominate others, and see women as inferior. A five-year-old boy is told to stop crying and 'be a man,' while a grieving father apologizes for showing emotion. These lessons create a culture that devalues women and fuels violence. Real freedom and equality begin when society lets men embrace vulnerability, empathy, and respect for all.