Overview
- Jesuit Social Services’ Adolescent Man Box report surveyed 1,401 adolescents aged 14–18 across Australia, measuring endorsement of restrictive masculine norms against wellbeing and behaviour.
- Boys with the strongest adherence to the ‘man box’ reported markedly worse mental health, with 85% experiencing recent symptoms and higher levels of loneliness and reluctance to seek help.
- High endorsers were more likely to engage in bullying, physical and sexual harm, to retaliate after rejection, and to consume violent or non‑consensual pornography, including exposure to deepfakes.
- Most adolescents rejected rigid rules and supported gender equality, and respondents identified family and friends as more influential on their views of masculinity than social media or online influencers.
- The Men’s Project used a National Press Club address to urge federal, state and territory commitments to targeted prevention and early intervention, noting no government pledges have been announced.