‘I knew all along’ – a short film on potentially violent behaviors of masculinity that can harm women
A short film following a dad's anxieties around raising a daughter. The film is told through a reflection of his past that reveals his own problematic behavior towards women.
Click here to see the film and accompanying resources on the White Ribbon Campaign website.
The film shows how, when boys and men recognize and take responsibility for harmful behavior, they can help promote gender equity and work to create a world free of gender-based violence.
The first daughter effect
The film is part of a campaign that also explores ‘the first daughter effect’. This refers to the ways that having a daughter can change men’s beliefs around the issues women face – whether they be societal, political or personal.
Having a daughter is often a catalyst for reflection in men. However, women and girls cannot wait for this type of awareness and change to take place. When harmful behavior is normalized as ‘boys being boys,’ it lays a foundation for even more harmful, and potentially violent behaviors to grow. The research conducted by White Ribbon showed that:
- Half of men (51%) men admit to or have witnessed other men joking about not allowing their daughters to date.
- 7 in 10 women have seen men joke about not wanting to let their daughters date.
- 1 in 5 young Canadian women have experienced men expressing a lack of desire around having to raise a daughter.
- 2/3 of dads with daughters disclosed that having a daughter made them more concerned about the challenges that women often face in society.
Who will find this resource useful?
This film and campaign is particularly useful for people working with fathers, and parents in general. It is a powerful and engaging resource for sharing directly with fathers, and those who work with parents. In addition, it can be useful for advocates for equitable caregiving and those working with policy makers around issues of parenthood, caregiving, and gender-based violence prevention.
Find out more
Click here for other communications campaign materials.
About the authors
White Ribbon is a Canada-based organization committed to building a world free of gender-based violence through campaigns, technical assistance, tools, and publications. The White Ribbon Pledge calls on men to never to commit, condone or stay silent about violence against women.
Image Credit: White Ribbon Campaign