New Forsyth County program to support pre-teen boys' development and self-esteem

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is creating a new program geared toward adolescent males called Motivating Males on the Move, or M3.

It aims to be a safe space for boys ages 9 through 13 to learn about their development, body image and self-esteem, and masculinity.

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health already has a similar program, called Flourish, designed for young girls. Adolescent Health Coordinator Au’Shonna Langley said it was important to provide this kind of education to young boys too. 

“Because just like young girls, they have development issues. They don't know what to expect, and things like that," Langley said. "So being able to provide that same opportunity to them as we do young girls, that was the whole goal.”

Most program sessions will last about an hour and a half, and be held at the health department. The group will also take field trips, hear from guest speakers, and participate in team-building activities to help participants get to know each other and build relationships. 

Langley said boys who complete the M3 program would ideally move up to a program called UNIFY once they’re older. It’s a co-ed program focused on educating adolescents about STI prevention and teen pregnancy— topics Langley says are often mainly geared toward girls.

"There's a lot of pregnancy prevention programs for girls considering that they are the ones that get pregnant, but it is something that happens and it takes two people to form a pregnancy," Langley said. "There's not that many programs to let guys know what to expect. How can you keep yourself safe from STIs? How can you prevent getting a girl pregnant, if you are sexually active?"

Langley says the M3 program will begin in January of next year. It will be facilitated by Men’s Health Coordinator, Stanley Howard. More information, and interest forms, can be found on the Health Department’s website. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.