In recent times, terms like ‘toxic masculinity’ have become increasingly prominent, and the radicalising influence of the ‘manosphere’ on boys and young men has been hotly debated.

The perceived threat has prompted the creation of blockbuster documentaries and dramas like ‘Adolescence’ and ‘Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere’.

Public discourse has often framed masculinity as a problem that must be solved, but can masculinity be a strength that can be nurtured?

This shift is essential because public discourse often remains preoccupied with specific, controversial concepts that don't reflect the everyday reality of most men. Moving beyond these labels allows us to see the bigger, more systemic story - one where boys and young men are often being ignored and let down, particularly in areas such as education, employment, and mental health support.

Men’s Health

Before developing solutions to support young men effectively, it is important to first examine the role of gender norms in shaping their experiences.

From an early age, many boys are encouraged to be tough, independent, and in control, while avoiding vulnerability. These expectations - often described as masculine “gold standards” - can make it harder for men to express emotions or seek help when they’re struggling.

While hormones like testosterone play a role in influencing behaviour, they do so within the wider context of social expectations and lived experience that shapes how men respond to challenges.

As a result of these norms, men often resist accessing services when they are feeling physically or mentally unwell.

Instead, many men turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as smoking, harmful gambling, alcohol consumption, substance use, and risk-taking. While others may express distress through anger, which can mask underlying emotions like sadness or anxiety.

Fatherhood: An Opportunity for Change

The challenges facing boys and young men do not end at adolescence or early adulthood. For many men, these experiences accumulate over time, shaping identity, relationships, health, and engagement with support across their lifetime.

Opportunities for positive change can emerge at different points in a man’s life: through education, work, relationships, community involvement, or access to support. Some moments, however, bring greater openness for reflection and change than others.

One of the most significant opportunities for change is the transition into fatherhood. While becoming a dad does not in itself resolve the challenges men may face. It does mark a major life event which can act as a crucial window that encourages healthy identity development and emotional wellbeing for the three-quarters of UK men that do become fathers.

It is a moment when positive interventions can be introduced to shape better long-term outcomes, for men, their children, and families alike.

Becoming a father is linked to important biological and psychological changes. Testosterone levels often decrease around birth, supporting greater empathy, caregiving, and responsiveness to a baby’s needs.

For many men, fatherhood is also a time of reflection on their upbringing, the kind of father they want to be, and their readiness for responsibility. This can create a turning point where men are more open to change and prioritising family life.

Research also suggests early parenthood is a period of neuroplasticity, when the brain adapts to support caregiving, with changes linked to empathy, problem-solving, and emotional responsiveness, especially among fathers who are more involved in care.

Paternal Mental Health

Fatherhood is often an amazing positive journey, however, it also comes with significant challenges. Whether it's managing the necessary shift in identity, concerns over work, money, mum or baby, sleep, relationship difficulties or feeling isolated, there’s a lot that can affect a new fathers mental health. And while the drop in testosterone facilitates bonding and empathy for new dads, this hormonal shift can be a double-edged sword, as this drop has also been associated with a negative impact of men's mental health.

So it is perhaps no surprise that:

• 8-26% of men experience paternal perinatal depression, rising to 25-50% in men whose partner also experiences postnatal depression.
• Up to 51% of men can suffer from anxiety disorders in the postnatal period.

If left untreated, paternal depression can increase:

• Hostility and conflict in the home, particularly with spouse / partner.
• Feelings of resentment toward the baby.
• Negative parenting and harsh discipline. 

And can decrease the following:

• Positive engagement with the infant - less sensitivity, warmth, playfulness, or touching - which can delay attachment with the baby. 
• Positive interactions with older children - such as reading, singing, playing, or storytelling - which can negatively impact the child’s social and emotional wellbeing.
• And can ultimately result in problems with children’s behavioural, emotional, and conduct.

Young fathers can be particularly vulnerable. Evidence highlights that they are often overlooked in support systems, despite facing stigma and additional disadvantage.

Supporting Young Fathers

Providing timely mental health support during the transition into fatherhood is essential for the wellbeing of fathers, mothers, and children.

As highlighted in a 2025 Scottish Parliament briefing document, early identification and intervention are crucial to protect the wellbeing of the whole family.

A 2024 Scottish Government evidence review identified key barriers preventing fathers from accessing support, including: a lack of dedicated services, limited inclusion in existing perinatal care, low awareness of men’s mental health needs, and stigma around help-seeking.

Alongside addressing these gaps, there is also a need for earlier, 'upstream' approaches, normalising conversations about the transition to fatherhood, its challenges, and where to seek help. This can reduce stigma, encourage early support, and help reframe emotional expression and help-seeking as a strength.

Supporting young fathers is particularly important. Evidence shows that while they often face disadvantage and stigma, fatherhood can also act as a powerful turning point, helping some young men reassess their lives, build purpose and responsibility, and move away from risky or harmful behaviours as they step into parenting.

Useful Links and Resources

Supporting Fathers: 

• Fathers Network Scotland hosts a Dad-Friendly Directory where you can find dad-friendly services throughout Scotland using an interactive map. FNS also offers support for professionals through the Father Engagement Training - providing practical solutions to help you build meaningful connections with dads; Paternal Mental Health Training - will help you recognise paternal mental health challenges, respond effectively, the training is also accompanied by a resource sheet - Fathers’ Mental Health: Recognising the Signs and Offering Support.
  
  
• Dads Rock operates across Scotland providing support, workshops, and social groups for fathers and male carers to build confidence in their parenting abilities and improve child outcomes. They provide 1:1 support for young dads, prenatal workshops, and playgroups in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and North Ayrshire, Tayside along with a national digital support connecting with dads across Scotland.

Supporting Young Fathers: 

• Following Young Fathers Further is a one stop research and practice community for supporting young dads and their families. Their excellent Think Dad! Toolkit, co-created with young fathers and developed with professionals and services in mind who want to improve how they work with young fathers.

Supporting Young Men: 

• Youth Link Scotland: Imagine a Man Toolkit to help build positive masculinity with young people.

Gambling Support: 

• Cyrenians Chances: Gambling Support offers one-to-one non-judgemental tailored support to people who are gambling, or those impacted by someone else's gambling, to help them reach their goals.
  
  
• Fast Forward: Scottish Gambling Education Hub supporting young people’s health and wellbeing by promoting awareness of gambling harms through training, peer education, peer theatre, our network, and more.