Masculinity rethinks how we engage in discussions about gender, violence, and the changing nature of what it means to be a man today. Recognizing that despite growing awareness, effective ways to engage men and boys in the fight against harmful stereotypes remain scarce, this project is dedicated to creating a space where authentic dialogue can flourish.
Inspiration
The idea for Masculinity emerged from the need to go beyond traditional programs. While there’s a clear understanding of why men and boys should be part of violence prevention efforts, real-world methods for engagement are still in their infancy.
Drawing inspiration from pioneering initiatives like “Cards For Masculinity” and established frameworks in gender equality, I set out to design a tool that raises awareness and sparks meaningful, personal conversations.
Enhancing the Experience with AI
Leveraging the power of generative AI, the project transforms a simple digital card deck into an interactive, personalized conversation starter. Key features include:
Personalized Card Selection:
The AI tailors a set of questions to each user based on inputs such as age, and the category intended to be explored, ensuring the dialogue resonates personally.
Real-Time Feedback and Resources:
Beyond just prompting questions, the AI provides immediate, research-backed insights and directs users to the learning material, nurturing an environment for continuous personal growth.
Development & Challenges
Using Next.js allowed me to build a fast, responsive application with a mobile-first focus, which was crucial for reaching users on the go. Tailwind CSS played a key role in achieving a modern, clean design.
One of the biggest challenges was balancing the performance of AI-generated content with a seamless user experience. To address this, I optimized asynchronous data loading and refined our AI prompt algorithms to ensure that every interaction was both swift and meaningful with Gemini's API.
Impact
Masculinity is a catalyst for social change. By inviting users to explore what healthy manhood means, the project fosters open, empathetic dialogues that challenge outdated norms.
Click here to read the complete blog post for more information about this project.