What does it mean to be a man in this world?
Put differently, how do society’s expectations of men spark a chain of consequences that leads to gender-based violence? Challenging those societal norms is the point of this year’s White Ribbon campaign, resulting in a video created in partnership with the Canadian Opera Company.
The video, titled Uncomposed, features music that looks to help men, who are so often given the message that showing emotion is not part of an acceptable version of masculinity, express themselves. It also commemorates the 30th anniversary of the White Ribbon campaign.
Along with the video, this year’s campaign includes a documentary and a survey about perceptions of masculinity.
“Our goal is to ignite societal change that promotes emotional literacy and healthy masculinities,” said Humberto Carolo, Executive Director, White Ribbon in a release. “For too long, society has taught men to be ‘strong’ by repressing their emotions. It has heroized this version of masculinity. Uncomposed will start a conversation and encourage men and boys to acknowledge and express a range of complex emotions. We can help end gender-based violence by normalizing and promoting emotional literacy and healthy masculinities among men and boys, and emphasize that strength is the ability to show vulnerability.”
The video is based on research, and the results of a 2021 study commissioned by White Ribbon, which confirms the underlying concept — that society needs to allow men to fully experience all their emotions.
- The study reveals that 76 percent of North Americans believe boys and girls are taught differently about expressing emotions.
- While just under 150 million North Americans say showing emotions gives them relief, at least 30 million have told their sons not to cry.
- According to the survey, more than 81 million North American men say they don’t cry because they’re afraid it makes them appear weak.
- About 46 percent of men said they can only fully express emotions with their partners and immediate family.
- More than three-quarters (76 percent) of survey respondents agreed that music helps release emotions.
Uncomposed was developed according to scientific principles by well-known Canadian producer Jared Kuemper with the support of COC Music Director Johannes Debus, as well as music cognitive scientists. The music was performed at the Four Seasons Centre by a quintet, and the video explores the reactions of an audience of four men from diverse backgrounds.
“It was surprising to me that a three-minute piece of music could have such a cathartic effect. It helped me self-reflect and gave me a tool to take back to my boys,” said Scott Johnson, a documentary subject and single father of two sons. “If acknowledging sensitivity and vulnerability is strength, I think I’ve become a better man through this process.”
According to the experts
“Research has shown that music is capable of triggering strong emotional reactions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Margulis, Professor and Director of Music Cognition Lab at Princeton University, in a release. “Some studies focus on features like repetition and tempo, and others on the effect of culture and prior experience. It’s clear that these factors work together to contribute to music’s emotional power.”
“As a conductor, I see first-hand how music has the power to unlock our emotions — and to help us process them,” said Johannes Debus. “Live music can tap into a listener’s memories and collective experiences, allowing us to reconnect with moments and sensations we may have long forgotten about. As a composition, the ebb and flow of Uncomposed invites the listener to explore their own emotions, while the slow tempo induces feelings of rest and reflection.”
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