The
Boys Speak Out®
Forum
The original Boys Speak Out®
Forum was created in 2003 by three Dartmouth 2003 alumni: Claribel
Vargas, Lola Adedokun and Anthony Webb. The primary goal of the
Forum is to facilitate middle school boys’ transition into
adolescence by addressing pivotal issues they will face such as
drugs, relationships, peer pressure, and family problems. Further,
the Forum looks to replace a young boys’ typical response
to stress and other personal obstacles (violent actions and reactions)
with healthy and constructive verbal expressions of their feelings
to family, friends, guidance counselors and others in an attempt
to positively channel potentially negative energy.
The Boys Speak Out®
Forum is a day-long (approximately 6-8 hours) event where participants
listen to speakers with whom they can identify (slightly older male
discussion leaders), as well as take part in interactive activities
such as icebreakers, “trust games”, and breakout sessions.
Forum organizers (college student leaders) work to empower participants
by providing them with two important tools: (1) more insight into
the problems that trouble boys in adolescence, and (2) an understanding
of how important it is for boys to be able to express themselves
with respect to these issues. Adolescent boys are constantly taught
that they should be strong and stoic; however, they are not taught
that part of being a strong individual entails recognizing when
life’s challenges arise, and embracing the ability to constructively
express how these challenges affect one’s psyche.
Why a Program for Boys?
It is well known that the challenges that boys and girls encounter
as they grow up are numerous and complex. Unfortunately, for boys,
it is less socially acceptable for them to delve deep inside themselves
to recognize and address their struggles openly.
Society places many pressures on boys to be “tough.”
This tough guise makes it more difficult for adults to notice when
boys are internally struggling. The same shame that silences girls
from expressing themselves as adolescents takes a significant toll
on boys as well, and can manifest itself in dramatic and dangerous
ways.
Young boys need guidance and support, and the Boys Speak Out®
Forum is a response to this very need. Boys Speak Out®
Forums will provide boys with the proper tools to articulate their
emotions, seek support, and access resources. With these tools in
hand, they will become stronger men capable of serving as foundations
within our communities.
The Boys Speak Out®
Forum and Colleges/Universities
Boys Speak Out, Inc. is a facilitator; it looks to help guide college
students in their implementation of the Boys Speak Out®
Forum at their college or university. Boys Speak Out, Inc. does
not come to campuses and hold the forums, rather it gives the college
students the proper tools and materials to hold their own Forum.
Hence, Boys Speak Out, Inc. teaches interested college students
how to host a forum at their college, and the forum will be a program
of that particular college.
The Boys Speak Out®
Forum not only aims to help middle school boys, but it also aims
to facilitate the development of college students. Implementation
of a Forum requires teamwork, organizational, leadership, presentation
and fundraising skills; all skills that are vital to post-college
success. College students that implement the Forum will have “real
life” exercises to practice the aforementioned skills, they
will make a major impact on their community, and they will leave
a positive legacy at their educational institution.
Who Is Eligible?
The Boys Speak Out®
Forum targets middle school boys in rural, urban, and suburban communities.
Each year hundreds of boys in these communities will be brought
together at leading college and university campuses. There, these
young boys will meet their peers and talk with college male advocates
about the challenges that they face.
Program Sites
Please contact us at info@boysspeakout.org if you are a college
student (or know a college student) that is interested in hosting
a Boys Speak Out®
Forum
"The
Boys Speak Out®
Forum
is a good way to learn about ourselves and one another."
- 2006 Boys Speak Out Participant
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