Offenbach: Reflecting on traditional role models | Offenbach

• OfEast Tinç

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In the Offenbach Heroes project, young men campaigned for equality between women and men. The State of Hesse recently received the Prevention Award for their commitment.

Homosexuality, virginity or feminism. These are topics that young men usually do not discuss among themselves – and certainly not in the family. The Heroes Offenbach project, sponsored by the German Red Cross (DRK), offers this possibility. In the first step, the participants, who come from ethical milieus, are confronted with their own views of the world in conversations.

“The greatest challenges are traditional role models in the family, images of masculinity and homophobia,” says Zafer Çin. The 35-year-old is one of three group leaders who try to break down thought patterns and point out other perspectives in the discussions. “Fortunately, that happens quickly,” says Çin. The men began to think, reflect and question their upbringing and socialization.

In the second step, the trained heroes go to schools and youth facilities to hold workshops on these difficult topics. 22 heroes have already been trained, and we are currently looking for participants for the fourth generation.

“The attraction of Heroes is that we offer a ‘safe space’ here, a safe space in which you can feel free and talk about taboo subjects,” explains project coordinator Fatmagül Tuncay. Part of the recipe for success is, on the one hand, that not adult teachers, but rather young men talk to young people in so-called peer-to-peer discussions as their peers. On the other hand, it is the theater education in the workshops, which last between 90 and 240 minutes.

“The shishabar scene is a very popular role-playing game,” says group leader Hilal Kaya. The sister goes to the bar with her boyfriend and is seen there by her brother, who has gone to pick up girls. “The scene ends with a highly escalating situation,” explains the 22-year-old. After the piece, which lasts a maximum of three minutes, the discussion with the young people begins.

The scene and characters are analyzed, the problem is worked out and questions are asked: What can you do to prevent the situation from degenerating? How can one behave differently? “We trust that it is clear what it is about. It is important that people form their own picture, ”says group leader Alexander Yussufi. For him it is best when the young people start to discuss things with one another. “The reflection in itself is an asset,” says the social worker.

The Offenbach project has already reached around 2,600 young people in the six years of its existence. It has its origin in Berlin. It was founded there in 2007 after the so-called honor killing of Hatun Sürücü, who was shot by her brother. Heroes Offenbach recently won the State of Hesse’s Prevention Award. There are still no concrete plans for what should happen with the prize money of 2500 euros.

A Hessian specialty at Heroes is the girls’ advisory board set up in 2017. Especially when it comes to sexism, he brings an authentic perspective and concern into the conversations with the young men. “The Heroes and the Girls’ Council say that they benefit a lot from the exchange,” reports Tuncay. Current topics such as the attack in Hanau or the murder of the French teacher Samuel Paty, who showed Mohamed caricatures in class, are also discussed. “And the young people bring in their own ideas,” says Çin. Recently, for example, there was talk about the ideals of beauty in men.

The families of the Heroes often only find out at the end that their sons have taken part in the project – when the ceremonial handover of the certificate is due. “Many tell their parents that they go to sport or meet friends,” reports Zafer Çin. Part of the ritual is that the boys give flowers to their families. Some parents are skeptical and fear that their children will be “westernized”. But there is also the other side: “A mother who was forced to marry was moved to tears because her son is now campaigning against forced marriage,” says Tuncay.

The experience that the group leaders have with all young men is that they change their attitude. “These are all things that work over time,” says Yussufi. The discussion implements food for thought and perspectives for the years to come.

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