What do boys say about The Council groups?

Here are responses from boys,
9–15 years old, when asked about their experiences with The Council groups at their school:

• It is good to know that you are not alone. That people have the same feelings as you.
  
  
• I felt open to talk and share.
  
  
• I enjoyed stepping into the truth circle.
  
  
• I looked forward to it every Tuesday.
  
  
• I felt open to share because everyone did.
  
  
• I thought council was pretty cool. I would do it again.
  
  
• We talk about guys stuff; it would’ve been different if girls were there.
  
  
• Some discussion topics were personal but I liked that we didn’t have to always share.
  
  
• Everyone just became friends.
  
  
• It was good to just be guys.
  
  
• We were not teased about saying things in the circle.
  
  
• Make it longer.
  
  
• We could say stuff and feel comfortable.
  
  
• We did things instead of just listening.
  
  
• (I liked) playing games to learn.

 

What topics do boys and young men want to tackle in groups?

When asked what topics to focus on in
their groups, they said:

Focus on teasing Bullying Having fun Anger management Girls Stress Family Don’t try to impress Getting adults “off your back” Fear of the locker room Pressure

Calm down Money and work Getting respect Dating Fairness How we feel Homophobia Dealing with #/?!&@! people Being bored Labels