The adolescent man box: Findings from a survey with Australian adolescents aged 14-18 years
Our summary
The Adolescent Man Box report shows that rigid masculine norms continue to shape Australian teenage boys’ behaviours and wellbeing, with stronger adherence linked to poorer mental health, higher risk behaviours, and greater likelihood of violence.
Based on a national survey of over 1,400 adolescents aged 14–18, this report examines how young men perceive and experience pressures around masculinity, defined through a set of restrictive “Man Box” rules such as emotional suppression, toughness, and dominance.
It finds that while many boys do not personally agree with these norms, those who strongly endorse them are significantly more likely to experience negative outcomes, including poor mental health, aggression, risky behaviours, and harmful attitudes toward relationships and gender. The report highlights the influence of social environments — such as peers, family, and online content — in shaping these beliefs, and emphasises that many boys want more emotionally open and equitable ways of being.
Overall, it calls for early, coordinated interventions across schools, families, and communities to challenge harmful norms and support healthier, more positive pathways for boys.