Rutgers Conference Tackles Masculinity Crisis: Shootings, Sexual

The world has taken notice that most mass shootings are carried out by men and the “Me Too” movement has brought the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment into the limelight. An APA/Rutgers University conference on March 24 takes on the question, “What does it mean to be a man or boy in today’s society?”

To offer insights on the current masculinity crisis, Rutgers University and the American Psychological Association Division 51 have partnered to address men who may feel adrift and “left out” of a changing social landscape and how men have an opportunity for growth and fulfillment as the gender order shifts in the 21st century.

“The old definitions of manhood no longer apply. Men don’t need to feel ashamed of their emotionality and vulnerability,” says Ed Adams, Psy.D., President of the American Psychological Association Division 51. “This conference will discuss the changing roles and position of men, and explore how men can actively participate in redefining the norms of masculinity.”

Entitled, “Facing the Issues: Masculinities in Research and Practice”, the day-long conference was designed to further the understanding of boys and men and is presented by the American Psychological Association Division 51 and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. The conference will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center, 178 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

Nationally renowned speakers will explain the many important dynamics and changing roles of men and boys. Keynote speaker Dennis Tirch, Ph.D is one of the foremost experts on Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) in the United States. Dr. Tirch is the Founder and Director of The Center for Mindfulness and Compassion Focused Therapy, and the Associate Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy. As an educator, He serves as an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. He also serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Tirch has co-authored several journal articles, books, and chapters concerning cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and compassion-focused therapies. His presentation will help attendees formulate and apply ways to increase compassion and self-compassion into viable therapeutic outcomes with men.

Also on the agenda are:

Holly Sweet, Ph.D., founder of the Cambridge Center for Gender Relations and taught classes on sex roles and relationships at MIT, where she cofounded GenderWorks. She will explain how to develop collaborative and proactive methods for women and men to identify and deal effectively with the sexual harassment of women.

Ed Adams, Psy.D., is Founder of Men Mentoring Men, the 2018 President of Division 51-the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities of the American Psychological Association and author of “Becoming A Happier Man: A Man's Guide To Living A Full And Meaningful Life”. He will describe how to identify and design male-friendly, non-traditional treatment approaches that encourage men to seek and find needed emotional support.

Brian Cole, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Kansas. Previously Dr. Cole served as the Co-Director of Training in the Counseling Psychology doctoral program at Seton Hall University. He will explain how to relate and integrate positive psychology approaches into the treatment of men and boys.

Christopher S. Reigeluth, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor at the School of Graduate Psychology at Pacific University. He has presented at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Gender Development Research Conference and the Emerging Issues in Men’s Behavioral Health Treatment Conference. Dr. Reigeluth and Bill Johnson, PsyD., Staff Psychologist and DePaul University Counseling Services, will describe how to strengthen and develop key skills for providing empowerment-based clinical interventions to adolescent and young adult male clients from marginalized backgrounds. This workshop will focus on individual and group therapy with attention to exploring social-cultural and intersectional factors, deconstructing toxic masculinities and facilitating difficult dialogues.

The cost for the daylong conference is $150 without CE credits, or $180 with CE credits. Discounted rates are offered to Division 51 members, Men Mentoring Men members, GSAPP students, faculty, alumni and supervisors.

To register, visit Rutgers online, or contact Jessica Benas at jbenas@rutgers.edu or 848-445-3987.