A new series by AdNews shines a light on toxic masculinity and encourages Australians to support themselves and their mates. Featuring industry leaders sharing personal experiences with the tagline -- When the going gets tough, get talking.
It celebrates the BOYS DO CRY campaign, which launched with a transformed version of The Cure’s iconic song, Boys Don’t Cry. The campaign is the brainchild of independent advertising agency The Hallway, produced in partnership with The University of Melbourne’s Centre for Mental Health, Heiress Films, Good Oil’s Tom Campbell, Uncanny Valley, Initiative and powered by UnLtd – raising funds for mental fitness foundation Gotcha4Life.
Charlton Hill, CEO and co-founder of Uncanny Valley:
1. When was the last time you cried?
Whilst working on this project! It was an amazing journey and when we finally saw the finished film it was overwhelming. I had also lost an old friend not long before so it all kind of hit home.
2. Tell us about your experience of traditional masculine stereotypes growing up.
I grew up with two older sisters so I felt initially that I had a balanced attitude towards expressing emotions. However I became aware at school in the 80s that it wasn’t the norm to be a guy and too emotional about things. I think this shaped a stiff upper lip when facing problems which wasn’t always necessary - every situation deserves a unique response, sometimes you need to be strong and when you can’t be, there is strength in letting people know that.
3. What would you tell your 15 year old self about opening up and showing your emotions?
I think being honest to yourself at any age is what I’d say. That’s often hard to do but I feel that everyone has a natural path - and if you fight that and don’t be the person you are, that path can go off track. So you be who you are, and express the emotions you feel and you'll find your way.
4. What do you want for the next generation?
Ha, to make better decisions than the one before them - it’s their duty like it was ours. Truly, learning from humankind's mistakes feels like the most sane thing to pursue in a sometimes insane world. We need to step back from the moment and think how history will remember us and our current standards and then make game-changing decisions our children will be proud of.
5. What do we, as a society, need to do to challenge views that men should always put on a brave front?
We all have strengths and weaknesses, I think the ‘win’ attitude that has been amplified by the advent of social media needs to be dialled right back such that it’s ok for people to have a great, average or really shit day without it meaning anything more than just that. The most interesting and wonderful people I know are flawed like the rest of us - they just expose it more readily and are more human for doing so.
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