Foster Care Training

We live in cultures of frequently toxic masculinity, as portrayed and evidenced by a plethora of recent events in American culture, where men frequently choose power over others rather than being with them, are taught to prioritize intellect over emotion, dominance over connection, and are socialized to experience and express only certain emotions while repressing others. While this has obviously harmful impacts on those interacting with men, it also harms us.

The social services profession is largely made up of women, so men who are part of it have generally chosen this work for deeply personal reasons, and can often provide a uniquely healing or corrective experience for young people, who so frequently have wounding around their relationship with male figures. As a man, then, what does it mean to show up fully in service? What parts of ourselves get left behind? In a culture where men are not taught to take care of themselves, what does self-care and restorative practice for men look like? What does it mean as a man to walk with an open heart?