The State of Masculinity 2025: Connection, Community, and Belonging Are Vital to Violence Prevention

by VALOR
on August 6, 2026

A new report, The State of Masculinity 2025, explores how boys and men navigating masculinity shaped by relationships and connection can help prevent violence. Published by A Call to Men, the report has a clear message: healthy relationships early in life can lead to futures where harm becomes less likely in the first place. 

Based on more than 200 interviews across the United States and Puerto Rico, the report documents how:

  • Ideas of masculinity shapes emotional expression, relationships, accountability
  • Ideas about power and belonging are shaped by masculinity, and
  • Men are currently making powerful and positive changes with how they navigate ideas of masculinity.

Throughout the report, many of the men interviewed described growing up without strong models for emotional connection, a consequence of the performance of masculinity that is valued and taught in our culture. One mentioned, “I wish someone taught us how to be human before they taught us how to be a man.” It also examines the role of online culture, algorithms, and AI that boys and young adults growing up now rely on. The report notes that “most boys don’t go online looking for misogyny. They go looking for answers,” but that they are often influenced by the certainty that algorithms offer rather than building relationships where they feel noticed, understood, or emotionally safe. 

Many of the men interviewed explained how they are trying to build different relationships with their children, partners, friends, and communities than what they were taught growing up. One father described how he apologizes to his child when he gets something wrong because “he needs to see that.” Another father talked about wanting his son to know “it’s okay to need people.” Boys are learning emotional skills earlier in life because their fathers are fostering care, accountability, and vulnerability as strengths, not weaknesses.

The report reinforces that communities are at the heart of violence prevention because they support connection, accountability, belonging, and care early enough to stop harm before it happens. The powerful change being ushered in by men is creating friendships, relationships, and communities where young people understand themselves and each other.

Check out A Call To Men’s The State of Masculinity 2025: