Classroom disruption, aggression, and withdrawal are all examples of ‘challenging behaviour’ in young men.
The word to emphasise here is behaviour. By separating the behaviour from the person, we can appreciate that how they’re acting isn’t necessarily who they are. And that’s a really crucial part in managing challenging behaviour in young men — and even more critical if we want to help young men overcome and let go of challenging behaviours.
Young men and challenging behaviour
Young men are less likely to express their vulnerability through words for a whole host of reasons. Self-stigma and social norms get in the way, and we see too few other men modelling open communication (although the tide is slowly turning on this).
Instead, emotions like fear, sadness, or insecurity can show up as anger or defiance. When a young man ‘acts out’, he’s really speaking up. It’s just that he might not have the words to ask for help directly. Rather than seeing someone’s behaviour as inherently bad, it’s more productive to see it as communication.
In our work at The Mental Shift (TMS), we meet many young men who exhibit challenging behaviour. When it comes to how to manage that challenging behaviour, we start by getting to know the lad who’s in front of us. We look to connect and find out what’s really going on below the surface. A combination of community-based martial arts and 1:1 peer mentoring creates a safe environment for young men to let down their walls and channel their emotions as behaviours that help them move forward.
The risks of ignoring challenging behaviour
Once we know that challenging behaviour is a symptom and not a choice, leaving it unaddressed puts young men at greater risk. Challenging behaviour can lead to serious consequences like school exclusion, crime and anti-social behaviour, and ill mental health.
The sooner young men can get the mental health support they need, the faster their challenging behaviours become a thing of the past. Of the lads who’ve joined our Community Muay Thai Program, 83% had no further reports of anti-social behaviour.
How to manage challenging behaviour in young men
We’ve already namedropped some of TMS’s services here. We believe deeply in the long-term impact of physical activity and sports, like martial arts, plus mentoring programmes and other forms of support that meet young men where they are. These are ways for young men to build relationships, resilience, and self-worth — and to meet with other young men who have walked a similar path.
Managing challenging behaviour requires a connection. When young men feel seen, heard, and valued, their behaviour often changes as a result.
We understand that challenging behaviour can be just that: challenging to manage. Especially for teachers, parents, and social workers who are already under a vast amount of pressure.
That’s why TMS exists. We use our lived experiences with mental health to support young men, particularly lads who are at risk of burning bridges with challenging behaviour.
We’ll work and work until we’ve reached every young lad in the country, so every referral and donation helps.
