40 years of men's advice Vienna: A call to masculinity in change

40 years of men's advice Vienna: A call to masculinity in change

In Austria there is a huge change around masculinity. A lot has happened since the 1980s, when Herbert Grönemeyer illuminated clichés about masculinity with his hit "men". In 1980 the first men's advice center was founded in German -speaking countries in Vienna. The Men's Advice Vienna has been offering support for men in difficult situations and has established itself as an important point of contact.

Last year 7,090 people were advised, and demand increases steadily. The advice ranges from gender and masculinity reflected therapy to coaching to social and legal help. The managing director of men's counseling, Žiga Jereb, draws attention to the need to talk about violence, especially with regard to the worrying increase of female in Austria. In this context, the cooperation with the Association Autonomous Austrian women's shelters (AÖF) is also highlighted for work with violent actors.

The challenges of masculinity

Men's advice has recognized that young people in particular are at risk by exposed to the so -called “manosphere” on social media. These platforms often promote toxic masculinity images. Therefore, promoting a new understanding of masculinity, diversity, care and care work emphasizes. The desire for more visibility for these new masculinity images in public space is great.

Nevertheless, men's advice faces a major problem: the budget question at federal level. The establishment currently needs financial support for your campaigns, which has so far failed to do by the federal government. While funding for violence prevention rose in 2017 and 2018, the current situation is characterized by uncertainty and limited planning security. As Bernd Kühbauer, a member of the board, reports, should be clarified by mid -June 2025.

education for a new masculinity

In order to be able to meet the topic of masculinity and violence prevention even better, the Pro Juventute Akademie offer special seminars. These two -day workshops deal with critical masculinity research and its implementation in pedagogical practice. The aim is to convey basic knowledge of gender and masculinity and to increase the skills in youth work.

The seminars address central concepts such as hegemonic masculinity, intersectionality and violence prevention. Using theater pedagogical methods and reflection exercises, the participants are sensitized in order to incorporate violent approaches in their work. This is particularly important because male helplessness often remains hidden and can be visible in critical situations.

men's research in change

Die Men's research has developed into a complex, multidisciplinary science area in the past 30 years. This research is characterized by the examination of patriarchal structures that often have both privileges and challenges for men. Tensions between traditional structures and modernized masculinity are evident and are reflected in the social discourses.

It becomes clear that masculinity cannot be viewed longer than one -dimensional. It is a social construct that has changed over time and is still changing. The topics of social exclusion, violence and the compatibility of work and family are central challenges that both men's counseling and men research have to do.

At the end of the day, it is the task of institutions, experts and also society to promote the new, diverse masculinity images and to enable healthy communication about specific challenges. This is the only way we can support men who act and think accordingly.