Traditional meaning of “man up”: To act bravely, to take responsibility as a man, to be tough- a mantra that reinforces the idea of what a man is and should be. If you hear these two words, you are doing something wrong. A painful reminder of how we fail social expectations of “being a man”. For generations, we have taken this expression for granted. We have used it in ways that reinforce harmful and rigid gender roles and norms in society about men, boys and masculinities. As a society, we have attributed these words the power to shape thousands and millions of lives.
What if we transform these two words into an invitation to talk about what it means to be a man today?
With this idea in mind, Defying Gender Roles launched in 2017 a campaign to open conversations about what #ManUp means. Due to popular demand, we are bringing it back, to contine a neeed conversation about men, boys, masculinities and the challenges that we face when we hold outdated visions and expectations about the meaning of being a man. Gender norms have the power to shape the way in which each of us experience life. Gender norms and roles create a universe of expectations about what we should do, how we should act, look and behave. Also, who we should and should not love.
It’s time to act bravely, take responsibility of our own role in shaping these norms.
This t-shirt is a rebellious act against the oppressive force that impede men and boys to be whoever they want to be. This design is the result of love, creativity, and undeniable desire to openly defy rigid notions of masculinity.
This purchase is not the end; it is only the beginning. You are acting purposefully in creating the needed space to talk about a different approach to being and becoming a man. An approach that includes emotions, self-care, risks, and adventures.
Thank you for believing in us and in the power of these ideas to transform the world, one person, one conversation, at a time.
