The word ‘journeyman’ has always conjured up two images in my mind: first, of a young apprentice learning from an experienced, older person and second, of a young man just beginning to undertake his own personal journey into adulthood. The recently released one-hour documentary Journeyman is an inspiring exploration into mentoring, rites of passage and male culture in the U.S. Featured experts, including Michael Gurian (The Wonder of Boys), Dr. Michael Obsatz (Raising
Nonviolent Children in a Violent World) and Dr. Barbara Coloroso (Kids
are Worth It), examine the negative stereotypes of boys that reinforce
their isolation from the larger male culture.

The film follows two teenage boys who struggle with depression and violence and who urgently need support and guidance from adult males. In a mentoring program, they face challenging rites of passage, discover their inner strength, and learn to engage with a community of supportive men. Their mentors, representatives of the new generation of adult men who are willing to share their wisdom and integrity with younger generations, are on their own emotional journey. The mentors in the program get to face unresolved issues from their past, their own fear of boys, and gain new clarity about the gifts they have to offer. As elders, they accept the boys unconditionally and help them develop personal integrity and a sense of responsibility. The courage of this compassionate community of men means that this generation of boys will not be abandoned to suffer in silence within a culture of consumerism, media saturation and rapid, constant change.

More later about this community of male mentors as our conversation develops.