Every man I looked up to had an agenda | Modern Masculinity

John McAvoy has transformed himself from one of Britain's most wanted criminals to a Nike-sponsored Ironman triathlete who advises the government on prison reform and works hard to make sure young people don't make the same mistakes he did. In the latest episode of Modern Masculinity, he speaks to the Guardian's Iman Amrani about his journey from the "hyper-masculine, alpha male" environment of his childhood, through two life sentences for armed robbery and isolation inside HMP Belmarsh, to his ultimate redemption through sport and the friendship he formed with one of his prison officers
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[@decadentia84]

This is a fantastic series.

[@Officernoob]

decadentia84 host is a dime too, no disrespect.

[@macabre2007]

@eagle PHD exactly right, she is interviewing the gullible, and affecting it as well. Ultimately - it's poor journalism - i feel sorry for the people who think it has anything to do with masculinity at all

[@twigpoppapump6985]

I am very intrigued and appreciate that a female journalist has taken to discussing this topic. However I feel that Jordan Peterson was overlooked very quickly in the first episode. Whether his political opinions are found to be offensive or not, he has so much online material from his University of Toronto lectures that cover most, if not all of the major points of this discussion.

[@scientia49]

Topic suggestions - difficulties with relationships with women, online dating, pickup (pickup artists), incels, blue red and blackpill, male body image issues, male mental health problems, divorce, growing up without a father / positive male role models, negative effects of being born into poverty / low socio-economic class, difficulties of male immigrants, war / military

[@iAmTheSquidThing]

Oh yeah, pickup artists would definitely be interesting. Since they range from the entirely wholesome _"Pull yourself together and become more attractive."_ types. Through the slightly dodgy _"This one weird trick will hypnotise women into finding you attractive."_ snake-oil salesman types. To the deeply unpleasant _"Here's how to emotionally manipulate vulnerable women."_ types.

[@person.X.]

@@iAmTheSquidThing That is a good summary.

[@peterblanc7595]

​@@iAmTheSquidThing If your not able to show confidence you'll not attract women. So you have to fake it until you make it. Just being yourself will not work, men and women dating coach agree on this. There are also dating coach for women..

[@CxerRy96]

This itself can be 4-5 episodes easily...would love to see that

[@bravoalley228]

What's blackpill?

[@jeromevuarand3768]

He seems to be a good row model.

[@benwinstanleymusic]

Jérôme Vuarand 😂

[@paulo25740]

Triple entendre

[@SkateSka]

Oooooooh shiiit!

[@bravoalley228]

😂

And his Dad is Saun Bean... What a geezer.

[@johnknight9150]

That's a good pull-quote: 'If you plant a seed in poisonous soil, the tree's not going to grow'.

[@joe42m13]

it's rooted in a quote from the bible (pun intended).

[@MakolaTL]

I swear this is the sort of things I love to see on KZbin.

[@lucasrodriguezschwarzenber3127]

That guy really pulled himself together. I mean, if you got your uncle played by Sean Bean in a heist movie, it's hard not to be swayed by that lifestyle. Quite the aspiring role model.

[@skair5425]

Haha I swear what a story

[@skair5425]

Absolutely loved this series from beginning to end. Didn't think it was possible, but you've continued the same honest, dedicated, unbiased journalism from the very first episode to here in Season 2. I can't get enough!!

[@chontaelu]

@Iman Amrani This was a really great piece of work Iman! You are a really good interviewer and you explored the subject with curiosity, intellect and broke through the clichés and stereotypes. Its very hard to find 'good news' stories and this series really broke new ground. More please!

[@skair5425]

@eagle PHD Could you specify what you mean by that?

[@RaxLakhani]

@Iman Amrani would love to see you do an episode looking at the perception of masculinity in the world of modern politics. Grassroots activism to establishment politics...

[@skair5425]

The end of the video made me think about mortality. If you can, would you consider making a video about how men view death, and what they want to leave behind?

[@theGuardian]

Hey Gagan, we did a whole series recently called Death Land. It wasn't all about men and their views on death but there may be something you can get from that.

[@MajesticDemonLord]

Pain is temporary, Glory is forever. That's how men view Death.

[@skair5425]

@@MajesticDemonLord I disagree. Glory and reputation wither away just like anything else.

[@skair5425]

@@theGuardian Sure, I'll check it out :)

[@atm1947]

@eagle PHD you can't take something you deserve lmao, by deserving it you inherently own it. Also, if there was a series on masculinity by men it wouldn't really work as it's trying to be analyzed objectively.

[@paulstansell3697]

Best guardian series!

[@ldesign4405]

John is a top man I spent a lot of time with him in the high security unit within belemarsh. John was and still is a intelligent man and has always been a genuine man. Well done John you seem to have found happiness . All the best

[@sharon-bp9pk]

Bilal Akhtar All the best to you too! Hope you find your own happiness too.

[@ldesign4405]

sharon * thanks

[@stephenjones529]

Top man, all the best to you

[@stephenjones529]

I remember reading about John's story about 5 or 6 years ago, I bought his book and I honestly credit him as a massive inspiration for me to turn my life around

[@albertoperlini6755]

Thank you, Iman, for making me discover John's story. His words nearly brought me to tears... His definition of legacy will remain within me, and I really do hope it can guide me forward. Cheers to great journalism and to great people!

[@jamessandoval5843]

You should do an episode on male suriviors of CSA and its impact on masculinity. I don't think it is looked at enough. 1in6 in the US was like 1in3 in ireland. The idea of being a victim and masculinity not being able to be held in the same spot. Very difficult topic but one that doesn't get covered enough or well.

[@mrweasel]

Spitting wisdom...I've a lot of respect for John. Thanks for this interview.

[@SkateSka]

It's brilliant that you named the episode with basically the root of the problem! People become criminals, because the people who put criminals in jail are also criminals, if not necessarily in a "legal" manner for sure on a moral level.

[@musictimes8]

please continue with this series this is such a huge step forward for all men like us who perhaps can find their way through your findings and your guests' findings

[@Shadow-King]

Great episode and a fantastic series. I always genuinely look forward to seeing the next episode. Thank you for creating this series!

[@vegigun]

I have yet to watch a video in the Modern Masculinity series that I would not recommend to others. Thank you so very much for making these and keep up the good work.

[@RaxLakhani]

I've been a fan of this series ever since the first episode and have been recommending it to everyone I know. Whilst the discussions revolve around masculinity, I think that it is essential viewing for both men and women of all ages. As a piece of video journalism, the series leads the way and shows that established media titles like the Guardian can continue to develop new formats that succeed in reaching and attracting new audiences. I'd love to suggest doing a future episode on the role of masculinity in modern politics.

[@nahuelgale282]

Great interview, amazing host!!!!

[@thebatonmaster]

I have nothing but the deepest respect for this man's spirit and positivity. His moving story shows the power of the human heart to overcome and turn into a source of light for others.

[@jazy3091]

Oh my dear lord, this guy is amazing! The way he went, the development, the rising to such an enormous awareness and support for other people. He not only proves that everyone can change but he's a living proof that person can change into a giant. Man, you give me new hope in humanity.

[@ultancoyle2408]

love it. Hadn't heard of John before, great story. Thanks for putting these out.

[@divinesneakyz7455]

very refreshing content, these episodes should be getting 10x more views

[@EmmyHucker]

Brilliant series. You're my inspiration, Iman!

[@leightondawson5447]

Great stuff, keep up the good work! I appreciate your approach to the interviews in this series.

[@matthewbartlett2730]

This is a powerful series. I haven't been able to watch anything else since ep 1.

[@jackaljade]

Yet another successful man being the focus. While I can understand a desire to present these men as role models, these aren't the type of men who are facing the issues harming men today. Rather than the issues themselves, the focus here seems to be more on their successes, with the tagline, _"How these men turned their lives around",_ (if they started from a position of disadvantage in the first place, they haven't always). I'm afraid, yet again men's issues are being ignored, in favour of a message of, _"Stop whining and sort yourselves out, like these men have"._

[@kittynakamoto2449]

jackaljade what do you propose then?

[@123Ryanist]

Another Great Video, John you are the BEST! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@yndianna]

Thank you for this very enlightening series 🙏🏾I really appreciate the approach

[@jonahogbuneke4536]

Wow! I really rate John! Great episode 👌🏾

[@pliteni]

I love this series!!! Pls keep going!

[@TheGothicguitar]

This guy is so full of life, props to him!

[@asuc4933]

Never seen a series like this :)

[@lovefoodisgood]

Great stuff.

[@eldiablo6327]

this was great

[@Islander2000]

guess who my favourite journalist in the world is.

[@macabre2007]

I'm still not convinced. a) The content still for me indicates nothing I consider modern or masculine. b) why always look at men with dramatic narratives, or even a need to construct narratives? and then claim it represents masculinity c) never define what you mean by 'modern masculinity' including by what you mean by masculinity alone d) never look at the tendencies as just being a question of gender, for instance if a woman can also go though such a narrative what is masculine about it. So we are as men propelled to grow up with an idea of what it is to be a man. that question itself has a multitude of facets, but it's a private existential question mostly, and again I can't claim that is masculinity, because it would only be my understanding of what it is to be a man. Masculinity would then be defined by commonly recognised traits, but most far away from this series for sure, I still wouldn't claim that it could be defined as masculinity.

[@macabre2007]

@@Burnedcoffee0 have I stumped you? you asked the question I replied, and my initial message wasn't needing anything else - I gave it as a way to share my view, on why this series is disingenuous in my opinion. why should I do the defining - how reasonable was that request? let me ask you is a study of men, a study of masculinity? Because that's the mistake everyone who likes this series is making - it's a contemporary study of men the interviewers team chooses, and their moments of epiphany are dramatic - but that's just it, is modern masculinity meant to be showing kids male roll models due to the lack of male roll models? A male roll model is still not a masculine roll model.And still not contemporary look in sociological studies on poverty over 2 to 3 decades and you will find the shortage in male roll models in the conclusions, the lack of father figures and the pervading gang culture which springs from that. These journeys are not masculine, they are what destiny means for low income boy's/men.

[@macabre2007]

Well I already explained what I think it is above The reason I am critical of this series is because for me I don't think it has anything to help men, by calling it modern masculinity - when it's hard to define it as masculinity at all, anyhow. I studied men's Issues after university, being that there wasn't a lot of it (there were dissertations, including one by my first year PHD studying tutor dealing with a case study which found that in a Mexican region, men stay at home with their parents, much longer than women). That was very encouraging, but after university, all I saw were women's study courses, everywhere and no men's study courses. I started to collect books on men's health, men's sociological position (mostly feminism's definitions of men, and I came across some 'choice' generalisations - rather than facts. And that's what I want facts about men's issues not facts about modern masculinity - it's a cheap disingenuous phrase Now with identity politics bluing the lines, women's studies are plentiful in addressing women's issues regarding identity, but men's studies are still in their infancy in comparison. And popular self help is not helping the underlying issues regarding being a man. This series ought to be a study of men, dealing with male issues - and nothing to do with masculinity because masculinity is as I have said in the eye of the beholder. Whereas shared men's issues are manifest and real.

[@defencebangladesh4068]

One of my favourite series

[@michaelmcgovern5906]

Beautiful! 👏🏻

[@benshaw2306]

Found this one tough. It seems to fetishize criminality. I feel like a person overcoming adversity to make a success of themselves doesnt really have anything to do with masculinity. It requires qualities that are a human universal. I also feel like this guy is really ego driven (talking about a legacy lasting generations seems like a narcissistic delusion). I am a man who works in social care for a living and I feel very grateful for being able to help people. No one will ever know my "legacy" and that means so little to me. I am here now, doing my best. Thats it.

[@bankoleojo-medubi4452]

I think i understand where you're coming from. But while it might be fetishizing criminality in your eyes, the perspective he's describing is real for huge swathes of society. Coming from generations of criminals might sound sexy to some people, but it also forces one to think "if my dad was a criminal, my granddad was a criminal, then there's no other life i could live. This is my life. " and the cycle continues.

[@benshaw2306]

@Chaitan Reddy I'm not trying to argue with anyone mate but I don't agree at all with the 'all behaviour is narcissism' premise so cant really answer the question. There's loads of reasons I do the work i do.

[@jennabrough3254]

A living proof, to never give up. Legend

[@ejaaz7260]

What a story !

[@650thumper]

Nice to have an affirmative message about masculinity.

[@chimairanl9043]

Wow what a great story.

[@charliehobson33]

There is an awesome interview with this guy with dr. Chatterje (bad spelling :+)

[@jamesrobbins3582]

Inspirational

[@goat3779]

Hey The Guardian. You might want to do another video of this series focusing on Asian men.

[@barushbarzani8079]

A good topic to cover is how porn is affecting the mental health of young boys and men.

[@jaquesravalec242]

What does the Guardian know about masculinity? Their idea of it is a man who drinks coffee with caffeine.

[@Powerlasttechnology]

Luv u Iman Amrani 😘

[@joshuaheathcote2116]

Do it man, row the Atlantic!

[@caliac]

Wow ❤️

[@akumacode]

Thank you for doing this video about masculinity. You don't realize how many lives of boys and eventually men that you are and will be saving by doing this in an era where masculinity is being portrayed as being toxic by the loud minority

[@SPHinxProductionsTS]

Deep.

[@therecycledpirate]

This interview is waaaay too short. I'm certain there must be more good material. Please upload the full interview?

[@theGuardian]

Could easily have made this two or three times as long. So many fascinating aspects to John’s story.

[@Soulripper38]

go on the JRE!

[@ernestcanty6795]

I can’t see her doing an hour long unedited interview with JRE. Also I’m not sure if her bosses will allow it. If anything the format would be similar to her current style of presenting a video.

[@theGuardian]

Fairly certain our bosses would allow that but we'd need an invite.

[@imanamrani5959]

@@ernestcanty6795 if he asked I would do it.

[@MaggieOliver68]

@@theGuardian best get asking Schwartz György your boss

[@skair5425]

that would be pretty cool to watch

[@Thytos]

Something's wrong with the sound 🤔

[@fayelawson4701]

Simple facts - men are inspired by other men. Single mums may struggle to be role models. Fathers are needed.

[@lindai6988]

Faye Lawson I've seen many men inspired by their single mothers. Being a single mother is hard work so it’s natural that their kids would be inspired by their dedication

[@peterblanc7595]

Good content as usual but there is no such thing known as modern masculinity. He was a bad buy now he is a good guy. Life is still a fight

[@hossietaylor6488]

All Men should see this.

[@guillemmm3530]

Which is the intro song?

[@theGuardian]

Hi Guillem, it's a track from a music library called Epidemic Sounds and it's called Bottles. We've used it a few times in this series. Thanks, Adam

[@guillemmm3530]

@@theGuardian THANK YOU!!♥️

[@gustavoadolfoguardado9101]

♡♡♡♡♡

[@JohnZannisPies]

So this is where behzinga's dad has been

[@Stefa000000]

If i can tell, it's a bit funny how every men want to shake hand with you to not offend you but you come straight to hug them haha. Maybe i am wrong

[@MODERNDAYROCKERS]

only thing he managed was to get out of his cell ... think about the ones that don't ... ( saying that can't do the time don't do the crime )

[@philsophkenny]

👍

[@showmevids1984]

You can tell she likes him

[@flyer8584]

Please go to the next ufc event ufc 249 and tak to khabib ,khabib is a Russian undefeated fighter,a scary and stoic man ,a model muslim who is in my opinion pious ,he has a different outlook to life and what masculinity would mean in a war torn place ,where he has seen and experienced tragedies in his life,his region in russia was destroyed and infested with extremism for a long time ,his father took alot of his neighbors and family from the streets and to wrestling,where they are now a world wide renowned wrestlers,i do enjoy your open mindedness the most ,continue to be open minded and thnkz alot.

[@Braxant]

Is he endorsed by Nike?

[@theGuardian]

He is indeed. Says so at one point.

[@thisisnotmyscene]

It's in the description

[@rosilenematis6733]

Sensacional 👍💕

[@rosilenematis6733]

👍💕

[@bobdhshshxhzvs2314]

Man or woman people have agendas.

[@MorfHasGotAnOpinion]

great stories you come up with. thumbs up. did you manage to check out my vid on masculinity alrdy?^^

[@crushingalldeceivers]

People actually like and comment positively on the Guardian? haha what a strange world.

[@sjewitt22]

Is there an episode in this series that look at the systemic issues or is it all from the liberal (Centrist) indvidualistic viewpoint?

[@imanamrani5959]

I explain in the first video of the first series that this is about platforming voices, hearing experiences and listening to men who seem to have something interesting to say. That is what I continue to do throughout the series.

[@sjewitt22]

@@imanamrani5959 "interesting to say" is subjective, maybe looking at the systemic issues men face might help, rather the liberal, pull yourself up by your bootstraps approach.

[@andriesquast2028]

She has pretty much every red flag.

[@thomasowen2585]

A. Q. Enlighten me. What are they?

[@dantaylor7344]

John McAvoy is a nice story but as long as there is more money in crime in the world, young men will follow it. Always has been like that always will be. Prove me wrong. Money is your god, I don't care if you say it's Jesus Allah or Buddha your god is money.

[@omori3007]

Nah how about getting Jordan Peterson to talk on masculinity. I'm sure it's better for y'all unless y'all scared

[@sssnipermonkey5566]

Andrew Tate joined chat…..

[@Ryan-Horgan]

Read jack Donovans books on masculinity. They put this series to shame

[@CianBrennan]

It's not a competition mate

[@imanamrani5959]

Hahahahahahaha ok mate.

[@Ryan-Horgan]

@@imanamrani5959 OK I'll bite... Essentially what I'm saying is if you're looking for the answer to such a philosophical and existential question such as 'what is masculinity' then you're not going to find it in within mainstream media outlets such as the guardian (answers to most things in life won't be found there actually). If you read or listen to people such as Jack, you'll soon realise how far off the bullseye this series is. I am NOT saying its a bad series. Just its quite wide of the mark

[@nikkivieler3761]

Iman Amrani is cool and hot... ;) :D

[@SkateSka]

Porn is boring, us real men get our stiffies from Iman on a sofa with a cuppa helping change a generation for the better.

[@k995100]

You should really try to once actually interview some regular men, I mean its clear you want to make it interesting but if you want to pretend its about the average modern man you really should include a few.

[@teehee9096]

But who would you define as an average regular modern Man?

[@DiabeticDawg]

It isn’t about average men, it’s about what an average man could be. It’s giving average males role models to aspire to be akin to. At least that’s how I’ve viewed the series. I’ve really enjoyed it although I was hesitant too

[@k995100]

@@teehee9096 Just the regular guy, family, 9-5 job. You know what most guys are. And tbh I see little role models @austin robert I havent seen lots of men that I aspire to be in the series.

[@SonicJaneStooge]

Alpha and proud. Nothing wrong with being such. Ignore the feminists & empower yourself. Masculinity is a great thing.