NCJ Number
189511
Date Published
1998
Length
217 pages
Annotation
This kit includes a training videotape, facilitator’s manual, and youth manual for a 26-session group curriculum intended for adolescent males and focusing on violence prevention, with emphasis on the need for young males to recognize that they are responsible for saving themselves, their families, and their friends from violence.
Abstract
The materials grew from the work of the Oakland Men’s Project begun in 1979 to address male violence. The project’s thesis is that parts of the male socialization process brutalize young men and training them emotionally, physically, and cognitively to enact abusive adult roles and that young men want to and can unlearn this training with support from each other and adult allies. The curriculum is intended for male youth ages 14-19 from varied settings, including schools, athletic programs, treatment programs, and juvenile detention centers. The first 10 sessions assist youth in examining their experiences of growing up male, understanding violence causes, and ways to curb violent behavior through allies and other support systems. The next 16 sessions emphasize self-empowerment and community connection. The facilitator’s guide provides an overview of the issues involved in working with young men and specific suggestions for dealing with group dynamics, responding to particular situations, and adapting the sessions to the group participants. It also presents the objectives, agenda, exercises, and other guidelines for the facilitator. The youth manual presents the exercises and background information. The videotape presents the perspectives of young males. Topics include the nature of violence, the cycle of violence, violence causes, power and violence, the qualities of a real man, the qualities of an ally, respecting women, being allies to women, and considering the future. Checklists, forms, illustrations, and resource lists