Young Men
Growing up is hard for both young women and young men. Young men have a lot of pressure put on them from to act a certain way, including society, friends, the media. You may feel that showing “weakness” is not allowed for a boy. This is not true, and if you need support you have every right to seek it.
Cardiff Women’s Aid can also offer you counselling if you are a young man. Similarly, we can offer you access to a positive male role model who can take you somewhere you enjoy going and talk with you about the pressures of growing up. We can also provide support in your own home.
In an abusive relationship?
If you are in a relationship and you feel like you are being abused, you are still entitled to help from Cardiff Women’s Aid and agencies that specifically deal with men in abusive relationships even though you are young. Being young may leave you more vulnerable to certain abusive behaviours, such as being pressured into having sex when you don’t want to.
Schools and youth groups
In schools and youth groups, the Live It, Learn It programme can offer you support to make the right choices regarding drugs, alcohol, sex, telecommunications and issues of community and identity. These sessions are informal and confidential and may help you share some problems.
A cycle of abuse?
If you have grown up in a home where there is abuse, you may feel worried about the concept of the “intergenerational cycle”. Many people repeat the adage that “many people who abuse have been abused themselves” without even thinking about it, and you may feel that is a fact. However, many people argue that it is not the case. For a start, it removes responsibility from the perpetrator of abuse and allows them to say that it is “not their fault”. If this thought is making you feel under pressure or low, there is support you can access.
Our website has a lot of links to dealing with abuse in your home, mental health issues and relationship worries and you may find that there is a lot of relevant information for you out there.
Click here to download our leaflet for more information
More information is available in the Young People's pages