Across South Africa, boys are still being raised under an outdated code of masculinity that tells them to hide their emotions, face challenges alone and see gentleness as weakness. From a young age, they’re taught that toughness equals strength and that showing empathy or fear makes them less of a man but this emotional repression comes at a high cost. Studies show that men are far less likely than women to seek help when struggling and South Africa’s male suicide rate remains alarmingly high.
The Character Company, a non-profit organisation working with boys who grow up without fathers, is helping rewrite that harmful script. For over a decade, founder Jaco van Schalkwyk and his team have paired boys with positive male mentors or “social fathers” who guide them toward a healthier understanding of strength; one rooted in emotional literacy, compassion and connection. He joins us on the line Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder of The Character Company

Across South Africa, boys are still being raised under an outdated code of masculinity that tells them to hide their emotions, face challenges alone and see gentleness as weakness. From a young age, they&rsquo;re taught that toughness equals strength and that showing empathy or fear makes them less of a man but this emotional repression comes at a high cost. Studies show that men are far less likely than women to seek help when struggling and South Africa&rsquo;s male suicide rate remains alarmingly high. The Character Company, a non-profit organisation working with boys who grow up without fathers, is helping rewrite that harmful script. For over a decade, founder Jaco van Schalkwyk and his team have paired boys with positive male mentors or &ldquo;social fathers&rdquo; who guide them toward a healthier understanding of strength; one rooted in emotional literacy, compassion and connection. He joins us on the line Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder of The Character Company

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

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