Knot in the stomach. Sharp intake of breath. Then comes the M word. “Masculinity.” For some, it evokes ideas of strength, protection, and leadership. For others, it conjures images of harm, domination, and outdated ideals. What’s clear, however, is that masculinity is at a crossroads. Across the UK, and here in the West Country, young men are struggling to find a version of masculinity that feels healthy, sustainable, and meaningful in the modern world.
Into this cultural vacuum figures like Andrew Tate (and his shadowy benefactors) have stepped, packaging destructive, idiosyncratic ideals as empowerment. Tate’s messaging preys on young men’s insecurities, offering them a rotten blueprint for identity and belonging. Tragically, it is working. His rise underscores a deeper crisis – not just of masculinity itself, but of the widespread lack of accessible, positive alternatives for men seeking to define who they are.
The result? Rising rates of violence, mental health struggles, and isolation. The UK’s male suicide rate remains shockingly high, with men accounting for around three-quarters of all suicides. Communities feel the strain, families carry the burden, and young men themselves face mounting pressure from within and without. These symptoms are part of a wider picture, tied to what some call the metacrisis: a convergence of interlinked global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, the erosion of democracy, and the rise of disinformation.
“To truly address the climate crisis, we must heal the trauma within ourselves. The environment is not something ‘out there’ – it reflects our own internal state.”
The Alternative UK
The metacrisis reflects a deeper truth: the world’s external problems mirror its internal disconnection. This idea applies to the full spectrum of global challenges. If we are to solve them, we need to raise everyone up – including men. Without addressing underdeveloped masculinity and its impact on individuals and communities, we risk leaving half of humanity behind in the collective effort to build a better future.
Here in the West Country and around Britain, the charity A Band of Brothers is addressing this issue head-on. With thriving circles in Cornwall, Bristol, and beyond, abandofbrothers [sic] is proving that masculinity, when nurtured healthily, can be a force for good by helping young men step into their power as stewards of their families, communities, and the world at large.
Masculinity and the Metacrisis
The masculinity crisis and the metacrisis are not separate issues. Both are symptoms of systems out of balance – systems that fail to nurture connection, accountability, and growth. Underdeveloped masculinity, in particular, is a microcosm of the wider disconnection we see in the world.
“If the young are not initiated into the tribe, they will burn down the village just to feel its warmth.”
African proverb
Traditionally, masculinity was tied to rites of passage: formal and informal moments when boys were guided into manhood with the support of their community. These rituals taught boys how to channel their energy, emotions, and instincts into adulthood. In modern Western societies these rites of passage have all but disappeared. What has taken their place is often shallow or harmful: peer-to-peer validation whose currency is often aggression, status, domination, or material success.
At the same time, many men are taught to suppress emotions like grief, fear, and vulnerability – while expressions of anger or joy are either weaponised or trivialised. Without spaces to explore these emotions in healthy ways, many young men feel stuck and blamed, unsure of how to navigate the modern world. The consequences ripple outward, fuelling cycles of harm that affect everyone.
“Know Thyself. Heal Thyself.”
Psychologists like Carl Jung offer valuable insights into these dynamics. Jung believed that every individual has a “shadow” – parts of themselves they reject or repress because they feel unacceptable or uncomfortable. For many men, these shadow elements include fear, anger, sadness, or even the gentler forms of love and connection. Left unexamined, the shadow often manifests in harmful ways, from violence to self-isolation.
“Know thyself. Heal thyself.” Healing masculinity begins with confronting and integrating this shadow. It’s about helping men understand themselves, own their vulnerabilities, and channel their strengths into something constructive.
Bridging Generations and Restoring Rites of Passage
At abandofbrothers we don’t just talk about the masculinity crisis – we address it directly. Our work begins with an intensive, residential rite-of-passage weekend, where young men come together with adult male mentors to confront their pasts, explore their emotions, and envision their futures. This isn’t about telling young men what to do or who to be. Instead, it’s about creating a space where they feel seen, supported, safe and challenged to grow.
Through processes inspired by ancient wisdom and modern psychology, we encourage young men to engage with their full emotional range – grief, anger, fear, and joy included.
“I had never believed I was worthy of anything, and this weekend helped me realise that I was worthy of a job, a future, and more. I really like that all the men are there for each other. It makes such a difference.”
Young Man
This initial experience is just the beginning. After the rite of passage, participants continue their journey with structured mentoring programmes and a year-round community that provides long-term accountability and support.
This process also bridges the generational divide. Eldership is a key element of healthy masculinity, and by connecting younger men with older mentors, abandofbrothers fosters mutual respect and understanding. These relationships guide young men from the fringes of society back into the heart of their communities, helping them build lives of purpose and belonging.
Thriving Circles in Cornwall and Bristol
Across Cornwall, Bristol, and elsewhere in Britain, abandofbrothers’ circles are thriving. These communities bring together young men who might otherwise feel lost, offering them a lifeline of connection and belonging.
One participant shared,
“I have a massive sense of possibility about my life, which I haven’t felt in a long time, if ever.”
Another young man described how abandofbrothers helped him redirect aggression into something positive:
“Now I feel I’m doing something good and positive rather than drugs and stuff before, which I did because everyone else seemed to.”
These stories speak to the transformative power of community and mentorship. When young men feel supported and valued, they begin to contribute in positive ways. This doesn’t just benefit the individuals involved – it strengthens the fabric of our communities, creating ripple effects that reach families, neighbourhoods, and workplaces. It should be a mainstream part of everyday life.
The Bigger Picture: Raising Everyone Up
The masculinity crisis and the metacrisis share a common solution: reconnection. To tackle the global challenges we face – climate change, biodiversity loss, disinformation, and the erosion of democracy – we need every person engaged and empowered. That includes men.
Without addressing underdeveloped masculinity, we risk leaving a critical piece of the puzzle unsolved. Healing ourselves, as individuals and as communities, is the first step toward healing the world.
Beyond Crisis … A Call for Action
As we navigate this time of transition, let us remember that masculinity, like the world itself, is constantly evolving. The task before us is to guide that evolution towards a model of masculinity that heals rather than harms, builds rather than destroys, and connects rather than isolates.
Here in the West Country, abandofbrothers is demonstrating what this balance can look like in practice. By raising young men up, we raise everyone up, and we take another step toward addressing the metacrisis together. If you would like to support our work, get in touch here.