Fostering communities for social change

The Resistance Among Youth Project (RAY) is an intergenerational group of students and professionals exploring constructs of masculinity. Rooted in the belief that humans are naturally empathetic beings, RAY focuses on the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, and class as informed by masculine norms. RAY wanted to foster communities to fight stereotypical masculine norms and expand their dialogue to youth and international communities. 

Discovering youths’ experience with masculine constructs 

Using mixed methods research RAY unpacked conventions of masculinity, masculinity’s impact on youth development, and the ways in which youth resist masculine constructs within a global context. Working with a diverse group of boys and girls, grades 6 - 12, we conducted a longitudinal, four wave, qualitative study in New York City. Interviews with youth explored the ways in which their social, ethnic, and academic identities, and their peer and family relationships are shaped by gender stereotypes. Through analysis and coding of popular media and qualitative data we came to understand that the majority of youth, regardless of sexual orientation, are engaged in daily acts of resistance to masculine stereotypes. 

Creating safe spaces 

Embracing these findings, RAY wanted to expose the ways in which young people resist stereotypes and also foster resistance among youth from diverse cultural, economic, and social backgrounds. RAY developed a blog, website, and international summit (expected spring 2012) as safe spaces that encourage exploration of the self, resistance to disassociation, validation of observations, and community development.