American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Boys and Men

1. Psychologists strive to recognize that masculinities are constructed based on social, cultural, and contextual norms.
2. Psychologists strive to recognize that boys and men integrate multiple aspects to their social identities across the lifespan.
3. Psychologists understand the impact of power, privilege, and sexism on the development of boys and men and on their relationships with others.
4. Psychologists strive to develop a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the interpersonal relationships of boys and men.
5. Psychologists strive to encourage positive father involvement and healthy family relationships.
6. Psychologists strive to support educational efforts that are responsive to the needs of boys and men.
7. Psychologists strive to reduce the high rates of problems boys and men face and act out in their lives such as aggression, violence, substance abuse, and suicide.
8. Psychologists strive to help boys and men engage in health-related behaviors.
9. Psychologists strive to build and promote gender-sensitive psychological services.
10. Psychologists understand and strive to change institutional, cultural, and systemic problems that affect boys and men through advocacy, prevention, and education.

–American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Boys and Men

These guidelines have led to some “controversy” in the United States among conservative groups that masculinity is being turned into a mental illness. But, isn’t it obvious that systems of oppression also negatively impact those that supposedly benefit from them? Racism also wounds the racist, a fact that can easily be forgotten given it wounds those on the receiving end more.