From man to man

I'm worried about young Finnish men.

On Tuesday morning, I read a couple of news articles that revealed some disturbing research findings. According to Nytkis ry, “as many as one in four Finnish men under the age of 35 believe that women can deserve violence against them due to their clothing, appearance, or behavior.”

An article in Ilta-Sanomat included quotes from this study, such as: “Women use the so-called ‘woman card’ when it benefits them, [...] meaning men are almost always at a disadvantage, which can lead to violence simply out of frustration.”

The growing prevalence of this mindset is alarming. The quote reflects feelings of inferiority that fuel violence. It's wrong to project one's insecurities onto a specific group—in this case, women. For me, hearing these thoughts brings to mind some outdated societal attitudes that we men often internalize too easily. The idea that weakness should be never shown, that strong leadership or overconfidence is admirable, and that problems can ultimately be solved with aggression—even with fists—is deeply ingrained. Without proper role models, these beliefs can quickly take hold. The internet is teeming with toxic Andrew Tate-like figures reinforcing such ideals.

The second piece of morning news came from E2 Research’s “How Are We Doing?” report. “Men aged 25–34 rate their personal resources significantly lower than average, with a sharp difference compared to other men.”

This signals a broader sense of despair. Economic uncertainty and a lack of belonging emerged as key themes in the report. These feelings of hopelessness aren’t simple “men vs. women” issues; rather, they indicate a wider rise in men’s distress. However, friends and girlfriends should never bear the brunt of this pain.

I ask: Do we want to live in a society that supports, encourages, and challenges men to change—or one where we turn a blind eye to suffering? The Orpo-Purra government could take action, but current trends suggest the opposite. As expert Silla Kakkola explained to Ilta-Sanomat: “Instead of budget austerity, violence prevention efforts, such as training for authorities and improving service availability, should be expanded funding-wise.”

There is still hope. Each of us, within our own capacities, can look out for those around us. Now is the right time to ask young boys, men, brothers, and friends: “Are you okay?” We must challenge violent attitudes and encourage men to seek help.

Here’s some good news: 84 % of responding men said they believe men in particular should take greater responsibility for ending violence against women. Some of us have problems, but far more of us have solutions. Together, we can demand serious action from society as a whole, particularly from policymakers, to address the distress faced by young men.

The most important thing is to talk openly about these issues. Many young men are struggling and need help, support, and guidance.

Lauri Kaunisaho

Student, municipal councillor for Keitele, second vice chairperson of the council (Greens)

Keitele/Joensuu