Social media and masculinity norms among adolescents: Insights from Mexico
- Published On
- 19 Nov 2024
- Published By
- ALiGN Platform, Mexican Foundation for Family Planning
- Languages
- Spanish, English
- Resource Type
- Report
A report exploring how social media influences gender and masculinity norms among adolescent boys in Mexico. A summary is available in English, with the full report available in Spanish on the ALiGN Platform.
Conducted by Mexfam, a civil society organization, in partnership with ODI/ALiGN, the research uses participatory mixed-methods to understand how offline gender norms shape adolescents’ online interactions and vice versa.
The study highlights the role of influencers and social media content in reinforcing traditional masculinity norms, such as strength, economic independence, and emotional detachment, while also identifying opportunities for fostering critical awareness and promoting alternative, gender-equitable narratives.
Who will find this resource useful?
This resource is valuable for:
- Researchers examining the impact of social media on gender norms and adolescent identity.
- Gender equality advocates and educators seeking insights to counteract online misogyny and promote gender justice.
- Parents and families concerned about the influence of social media on youth development.
- Content creators and influencers aiming to contribute to healthier representations of masculinity.
- Youth organizations and community leaders working with adolescent boys to build awareness of gender stereotypes.
About the authors
The report was developed by the Mexican Foundation for Family Planning (Mexfam), a civil society organization with nearly six decades of experience improving quality of life through health services and sexuality education. The research was supported by the Advanced Learning and Innovation on Gender Norms (ALiGN) initiative, led by ODI.
Mexfam and ALiGN collaborated to produce this English-language summary, presenting key findings and actionable insights from the original Spanish-language report. Their work is grounded in participatory approaches that amplify the voices and experiences of adolescent boys in Mexico.