Boys' Programs: Strategies for Safe Living
Bullying and other forms of violence interfere with the healthy development of young men. If unaddressed, violence stands in the way of a school or community’s ability to educate and care for boys and teach them acceptable and effective ways to protect themselves and discourage violence among their peers. IMPACT teaches boys the skills they need to deescalate violence, often replacing their automatic responses to threatening behavior with effective conflict resolution skills.
Our trainings focus on age-appropriate safety skills, including:
- Exploring the role of violence in male culture
- How to deal with conflict using effective communication
- Learning to communicate respectfully with girls, adults, and other boys
- Learning to recognize the nature of hostile actions
- Acquiring skills to avoid engaging in violent actions
- Gaining insight into ways that violence interferes with their relationships
- Using good judgment for safety decisions
Physical skills are taught only as a last resort, and in boys' classes students must master
de-escalation skills before physical techniques are introduced. IMPACT will help the boys assess the situation as clearly as possible and gauge the level of threat they are experiencing. The physical self-defense skills they learn will give them confidence and a respect for the wide range of options available to them.
Scheduling
Programs range in length from 2- or 3-hour introductory workshops to full 20-hour courses. All programs can be tailored to fit the schedule of your school or youth group. Instructors are available to travel nearly anywhere in New England.
