GVSU Sex Ed Week- Reclaiming Intimacy: How Masculinity and Media Shape Sex, Desire, and Connection

Thursday, February 12, 2026
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Allendale Campus
Students

Join the Center and Health Well-being and Resilience as we explore masculinity and how media shapes sex, desire and connection, From porn culture and video games to music videos, ads, and hookup culture, students are surrounded by messages that equate masculinity with sexual conquest, emotional distance, and performance. This workshop invites participants to critically examine how dominant media portrayals of masculinity shape expectations around sex, intimacy, and proving manhoodoften promoting hypersexuality, objectification, and scripted behaviors that leave little room for genuine connection. Beyond media influence, the session names a piece that is rarely discussed: how loneliness, emotional suppression, and fear of vulnerability can fuel hypersexual behaviors while simultaneously disconnecting men from authentic intimacy. Participants will explore how these pressures affect emotional well-being, relationships, and consentwithout blame or shame. The workshop concludes by introducing the Core 4 of Healthy Manhoodconnection, authenticity, vulnerability, and empathyand guides students in applying these principles to their own lives. Participants will leave with a personal framework for building healthier, more equitable, and mutually satisfying sexual and relational experiences grounded in respect, self-awareness, and care for others. Dinner will be provided.

Competencies:

Diversity, Equity, and Justice
Connection and Belonging
Experiential and Engaged Learning
Health and Well-being

Location Information

Kirkhof 2201

Download parking map for the Allendale Campus

Contact Information

Get More Information:

https://app.suitable.co/institution/6397/activities/571435

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This event was added to the calendar by LakerLink Registered Student Organizations (rso@gvsu.edu) on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 and was last updated on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 5:01 p.m.

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