Show 48: Coaching Boys into (Non-Violent) Men

This week we’re talking about healthy, normal sexual development and relationships and how to talk to our kids about these important topics. One thing that’s not healthy, though? The high rates of sexual assault and domestic violence in Alaska. Now, a group of Alaskans is working to make respect and non-violence a part of the conversation coaches and other mentors have with young people, especially boys.

Coach John Blascoe started the basketball program at Juneau’s new high school, he included a new element as part of the Thunder Mountain team’s training: “Coaching Boys into Men” after seeing some of the issues that came up with his team. The AWARE shelter in Juneau was looking for someone to try the national program and its materials to see how it worked. The program includes a “playbook” and “cards” with different activities and it shows coaches how to build on “teachable moments” – like hearing boys refer to girls as “hot”, and talking about more appropriate ways to talk and think about their female peers.

Our regular contributor Jessica Cochran has more...