Breaking the Boy Code

Lucas and Kashyap take on the Man Box activity as a competition, brainstorming stereotypes about how guys are supposed to look, feel, compete, and date. The conversation spills into first dates, first jobs, and why you shouldn't lie to kids selling cookies on the street corner.

This is what it sounds like when a group of middle school boys are given the opportunity to truly express themselves.

Seventh- and eighth-graders Betsa, Siddig, Aksayan and Yoel engage in a meaningful reflection about their identities and relationships, and the skills they’ve built for mental well-being in the face of both subtle and overt racism.

What do Kobe Bryant, Colin Kaepernick, Miles Morales and O’Shea Jackson have in common? They’re examples of media representation that were most resonant with our group of seventh- and eighth-grade boys of colour.

Our group of seventh- and eighth-grade students explore the realities of boyhood and race in a heartfelt discussion about cultural identity, racial stereotypes, and societal expectations for boys.

Louis shares how he took action on his newfound values of compassion and nonviolence by standing up for a vulnerable peer, and reflects on how this connects to positive masculinity, social power, and growing up as a young man.

(Trigger warning: homophobia, physical assault) Louis comes close to tears as he explains how he and his friends ended up putting another young boy in the hospital, and landing themselves in court.

(Trigger warning: suicide ideation) This is a story of friendship, belonging, violence and guilt. It’s a vulnerable unearthing of a young boy’s fears and joys, his deep shame of who he was in the past and a growing vision for who he will become. This is Louis’ story.

Jack describes his experience with online learning, social distancing and starting high school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joined by Jon Harper, assistant principal, author and host of My Bad and Teacher’s Aid podcasts.

Thirteen-year-old Evan talks about the sense of belonging he’s found in musical theatre. Joined by Jen Kuhl, a facilitator and musical theatre choreographer.

Rehan describes Islamophobia from the perspective of a thirteen-year-old Muslim boy. Joined by Fatmeh Kalouti, a youth worker at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.

Ash sets the foundation for an exploration of how homophobia and patriarchy in India connect to colonial history, white supremacy, and adolescent boy culture in North America. Guided by the perspective of Love, a gay Punjabi refugee currently living in Winnipeg.