PRESS RELEASE
International Men’s Day – Who Cares?

 Wednesday 19 November is International Men’s Day – or is it? There is much conjecture about International Men’s Day, whether it is held on the 19^th of November or the 7^th of February, or even if it is celebrated at all.

PHIL GOULDSON, President of the Men’s Health and Wellbeing Assoc. (ACT), believes that such a day is desperately needed to highlight the issues affecting the physical, social and emotional health of boys and men and generating positive attitudes in the community. 

“International Men’s Day is about celebrating manhood and the contributions and achievements men make to the people in our communities, society and environment,” he said.  “It is also about being proud to be a man. Society has developed a very negative view of men and too often depicts manhood as bad, focusing on ‘men behaving badly’ or men as uncaring.”   

The link between how people are perceived and portrayed in society has a major impact on their self-esteem, their sense of identity, sense of purpose and their optimism, which in turn has a direct impact on their health and wellbeing. 

 “It is time we started changing our consciousness and attitudes about men and boys. Many men, especially young men, in our society are struggling, confused, hurting and lost. The health and wellbeing of our men and boys is abysmal, and if you look at our Aboriginal brothers… it is simply disgraceful.”   

There have been no ribbons, no events planned, nothing to mark International Men’s Day in Canberra. The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Assoc. (ACT) has only recently been established to help shape future expectations of men in our society. With the Assoc. now raising an awareness of issues affecting men and boys, Phil Gouldson hopes that International Men’s Day will become a day of discussion and celebration.

“I am asking men to meet the challenge and wear a red rose and for women and families to buy the men in their life flowers,” he said. “You don’t normally see men being given flowers, so it is a way to get people talking about the issues affecting men today,” Mr Gouldson said.

“Our families, the general public, health care workers, educators and policy makers all need to understand and consider masculinity and come together to create a future where boys can grow into men who take an active role in creating a better and safer world for all, as teachers, carers, lovers, leaders, partners, supporters, healers and mentors,” he said.

And how will Mr Gouldson be celebrating the day?

Roundup of events

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire

Blokes, it is your turn to celebrate.

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire

November 20, 2003

Australian men held an international day to promote positive images of manhood and highlight the physical, social and emotional issues affecting them, according to ACT Men's Health and Wellbeing Association president Phil Gouldson. ''International Men's Day is about celebrating manhood and contribution and achievements men make to the people in our communities, society and environment,'' Mr Gouldson said. ''It is also about being proud to be a man. Society has developed a very negative view of men and too often depicts manhood as bad, focusing on 'men behaving badly' or men as uncaring, insensitive and out of touch. ''It is time we started changing our consciousness…

PRESS RELEASE
International Men’s Day – Do we care?

Friday 19 November 2004 is International Men’s Day – not that anyone has noticed.  Is it just apathy, a fear of not being politically correct, or don’t we care about our men and boys. 

International Men’s Day was inaugurated in 1999 and up until its initiation in Australia by the MHWB Association ACT in 2003, there had been no ribbons, no events, no celebrations, nothing to mark International Men’s Day in Australia. This is astounding and disappointing and sends the wrong messages to our men and boys … that they are not valued or appreciated.

PHIL GOULDSON, President of the Men’s Health and Wellbeing Assoc. (ACT), believes that such a day is desperately needed to highlight positive contributions, images and value of our men and boys in our society.  It is also an opportunity for men and society to reflect on the issues affecting the physical, social and emotional health of boys and men.

“International Men’s Day is about celebrating manhood and the contributions and achievements men and boys make to the people in our communities, society and environment,” he said.  “It is also about our men being proud to be a male and for our society to be proud of our males”.  Society has developed a very negative view of men and too often depicts the male as bad, evil, not to be trusted and inadequate  … focusing on “men behaving badly” or men as uncaring, insensitive and out of touch.   

“It is time we started changing our consciousness and attitudes about men and boys. Many men, especially young men, in our society are struggling, confused, hurting and lost. The health and well being of our men and boys is abysmal, and if you look at our Aboriginal brothers… it is simply disgraceful.”   

The link between how people are perceived and portrayed in society has a major impact on their self-esteem, their sense of identity, sense of purpose and their optimism, which in turn has a direct impact on their health and wellbeing.   

“Men have higher death rates for most major causes of death and are FOUR times more likely to commit suicide.  In fact the major cause of death for our young men is not road accidents ….. it is suicide.   At the same time, our Aboriginal brothers are dying 20 years younger than non-Aboriginal men.”

The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Assoc. (ACT) has recently been established to help shape future expectations of men in our society. With the Assocaition now raising an awareness of issues affecting men and boys, Phil Gouldson hopes that International Men’s Day will become a day of national reflection, discussion and celebration.

“I am asking men in Australia to meet the challenge and wear a red rose and for women and families to buy the men in their life flowers,” he said.   the red rose symbolises strength of character and courage in meeting the challenges that men face in society and in contributing to building stronger and better communities, where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.  “You don’t normally see men being given flowers, so it is a way to get people talking about the issues affecting men today.”

“Our families, the general public, health care workers, educators and policy makers all need to understand and consider masculinity and come together to create a future where boys can grow into men who take an active role in creating a better and safer world for all, as teachers, carers, lovers, leaders, partners, supporters, healers and mentors,” he said.

And how will Mr Gouldson be celebrating the day?

“I will be attending a special International Men’s Day BBQ at the Glebe Park, Civic.”

FOR AN INTERVIEW OR MORE INFORMATION contact Phil Gouldson on 0411 484 253.