We have come from, and still live in a world where males are, with few exceptions, the weilders and agents of power. The initiatives by Kevin Rudd to reduce alcoholism among males in sporting communities complements the work I am doing, especially promoted in my recent book, “Kicking a Goal for Masculinity.”

But to tackle the problem we must tackle the centuries old myth - a myth exaggerated in sporting communities - a myth which says that to be a “real man” you must be a big drinker, be a real stud, a tough and macho man who wins at everything he does. The same myths, promoting irrational concepts of the “real man,” underpin most of the violence on the planet; violence to humans, to all life forms and even to our life giving biosphere.

To tackle alcoholism in sporting communities we must create a new male myth - a male who is female, child and earth friendly - one who has the courage to heal his wounding - for it is only when when males (and females) become integrated, do we get in touch with our true humanity and our true nobility as men. This is the “real man.”

Men play the leadership role in many situations ranging from politics, commerce, local government, military, prisons, media, sport and crime, violence, porn, rape and sex trafficking, just to name a few.

On a local front, seven out of ten Australians recently polled said they were intimidated by some form of violent behaviour perpetrated by young men - most under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Read this to mean that males are the power brokers (leaders) even on our streets and neighbourhoods. Read more »