State of World Population 2012 - UNFPA Haiti

Ricardo, 2005). Moreover, young and adult menwho adhere to these traditional views of manhoodare more likely to engage in riskier sexualpractices (Sonenstein, ed, 2000). Results fromthe Gender Equitable Men Scale have foundthat men who adhere to more rigid views aboutmasculinity are more likely to hold attitudes orpractice behaviours that compromise their sexualhealth and their partners’ health (Pulerwitz andBarker, 2008).Not all boys and men identify with dominantversions of masculinity within theircommunities. For example, young men ofhigher socioeconomic status often hold morepower and access to goods and opportunitiesthan young men of lower socioeconomicclasses (Barker, 2005). The evolution of whothey are within their peer groups, families, andcommunities is a dynamic process that changesover time (Connell, 1994). Men’s attitudes andexperiences, particularly the conclusions theydraw about what is socially acceptable behaviour,have implications for men’s and boys’willingness to access family planning servicesand to be active participants in planningfamilies with their partners.A global review conducted by the WorldHealth Organization found that culturally dominantforms of masculinity, which often urge mento practice strict emotional control and cultivatea sense of invulnerability, serve as barriers tohealth—and health-seeking behaviour: they discouragesome men and boys from visiting healthfacilities or from supporting their partners’ health(Barker, Ricardo and Nascimento, 2007).Men often have no opportunity to questionthese male norms or to reflect on how theirviews of manhood affect their health and theirpartner’s health. However, tailored programmeshave demonstrated that young and adult mencan adopt equitable attitudes and behaviours—attitudes associated with better sexual andreproductive health outcomes (InternationalCenter for Research on Women and Promundo,2010; UN Women, 2008).Prevailing attitudes and norms aboutsex impede access for young people,unmarried people of all ages, men andboys and marginalized groupsSocial and cultural norms dictate who, when,with whom, and for what purpose women andmen should have sex. Sexual activity is widelyviewed as acceptable only when the “right”people engage in it under the “right” conditions.The perspectives of excluded groups are notclosely reflected in the design, implementation,and evaluation of family planning policies andprogrammes. The impediments to their accesstYoung men in Cairo'sTahrir Square.©UNFPA/Matthew CasselTHE STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 201245