Federal Government Requesting Input on Men and Boys’ Health Strategy
Earlier this year, the federal government announced it would shape the country’s first Men and Boys’ Health Strategy. The government notes that the strategy “aims to improve men’s well-being and health outcomes by encouraging supportive and safe environments, challenging harmful stereotypes, reducing stigma and encouraging men of all ages to seek help when they need it.”
Highlighting the need for this strategy, the government notes that men are more likely than women to die by suicide and develop gambling problems, more likely to die from preventable causes, and less likely to seek out health care and health screening. Over a quarter of men meet the criteria for a substance use disorder in their lifetime. Men also experience increasing health risks and social isolation.
An Opportunity to Highlight the Problem of Pornography
Why is ARPA sharing this? We certainly care about the health of all Canadians, but health in general is really not one of our issues of focus. However, this consultation presents a key opportunity to highlight a significant problem for men and boys that the government often ignores: pornography.
The United Kingdom’s men’s health strategy, for example, highlights that pornography can impact how boys perceive themselves as well as girls. It also recognizes that combating pornography is integral to encouraging healthy masculinity and healthy relationships. And a men and boys’ health strategy should consider the impact of pornography.
How to Participate
As the government develops its health strategy, it is looking for your input. A questionnaire on the topic will remain open until June 1, 2026. The questionnaire focuses on current health challenges and barriers that men face, how perspectives on masculinity relate to health, and how relationships and community can help men and boys thrive.
The questionnaire includes multiple-choice questions on men’s health and barriers to support. Pornography is not on the list of current health challenges. So, the best place to add your perspective on this issue will be to respond to the question in Section 6: Final Thoughts, which asks, “Is there anything else you would like to share about men’s and boys’ health and well-being?”
Talking Points
As you respond to the consultation, you can use any of the talking points and information below as you craft your message.
- Pornography is increasingly dominated by violent and degrading themes. Evidence shows that pornography distorts perceptions about sexuality, causes many men to become aggressive and anti-social, contributes to negative views and objectification of women, mainstreams sexual violence, and increases the risk of sexual abuse.
- Pornography use destroys relationships and marriages, doubling the likelihood of divorce for men.
- Pornography consumption can lead to compulsive behaviour and addiction, resulting in physiological and neurological harms.
- Pornography use changes the brain, as viewers often need more extreme images or narratives to continue to satisfy their desires.
- Exposure to pornography among youth is linked with dating violence and sexual aggression. Intentional exposure to X-rated material predicts a 6-fold increase in the likelihood of sexually aggressive behaviour.
- Pornography has developmental effects on behavioural, cognitive, and emotional well-being in young people.
- To better protect men’s and boys’ health and relationships, Canada should do more to combat pornography through both education and legislation.
