At the heart of the ERM (Emotional Respectful Men) project is our mission to reshape how we approach emotional education, especially in combating gender-based violence. To make sure we’re on the right track, we recently sat down with adult trainers from Italy, Spain, and Turkey to get their thoughts. They gave us some invaluable feedback, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned.
Tackling Internalized Stereotypes
One of the first things our trainers brought up was the challenge of dealing with deeply ingrained gender stereotypes. It turns out, people are often hesitant to express their emotions because they’re worried about how others might judge them. And these stereotypes? They’re not just picked up from society—they can be rooted in family dynamics and even have genetic influences. Unlearning them is no easy task.
What We Heard: Trainers emphasized the need for a sensitive approach. Emotions are tied closely to our identity, and questioning someone’s emotional habits can feel like questioning who they are. Our trainers suggested that we create a supportive environment where people feel safe to explore and express their emotions without fear of judgment.
The Ever-Present Emotional Challenges
Another key takeaway was that emotional challenges don’t just go away with time—they evolve. Whether it’s managing relationships, expressing emotions, or dealing with anger, these are lifelong issues that everyone grapples with at different stages. While ERM isn’t about providing ongoing therapy, we do want to give adults the tools to better navigate these challenges.
What We Heard: Trainers want practical strategies that help adults handle these emotional ups and downs. It’s about equipping them with tools to manage their emotions, not promising to solve all their problems.
Cultural and Geographic Differences Matter
Our trainers pointed out that where you live can shape how you see gender roles and emotions. Urban youth in well-off areas might have very different views compared to those growing up in rural or less privileged environments. These differences can affect how gender stereotypes and emotional behaviors are experienced and expressed.
What We Heard: We need to be mindful of these cultural and geographic differences when we roll out our training modules. One size doesn’t fit all, and our approach needs to reflect the diverse backgrounds of our learners.
Engaging Tools Are a Must
One thing all our trainers agreed on: we need to keep things engaging. They’re looking for materials that are interactive, relatable, and grounded in real-life scenarios. They mentioned that using pop culture, media, and literature could help make the training more impactful.
What We Heard: We’re going to make sure our training modules include videos, role-play activities, and references to things like movies, songs, and books that resonate with today’s young adults. The goal is to make learning not just informative but also fun and engaging.
Highlighting the Importance of Role Models
Our trainers also stressed the importance of giving young adults new models of gender roles and emotional behaviors to look up to. They believe it’s crucial to challenge traditional stereotypes by showing alternative ways of thinking about masculinity, femininity, and relationships.
What We Heard: We’ll be focusing on content that introduces diverse role models and encourages critical reflection on existing gender roles. This is key to promoting healthier emotional behaviors.
Looking Ahead: Sustainability and Wider Impact
Finally, our trainers raised a good point about the long-term impact of the ERM project. They mentioned that lasting change can’t happen without involving a broader range of people, like community leaders, families, and institutions.
What We Heard: While our current focus is on adult educators and young adults, we’re thinking about how we can expand our reach in the future. Engaging more stakeholders will help ensure the sustainability of the project and its impact on society.
Wrapping It Up
The feedback from our trainers has been incredibly valuable in shaping the ERM project. By addressing internalized stereotypes, considering cultural differences, and incorporating engaging tools, we’re better equipped to create an emotional education pathway that truly makes a difference. As we move forward, we’ll continue to listen to our trainers and adapt our approach to ensure we’re meeting the needs of both educators and learners.