Masculinity and Femininity. Identity in Times of Change | Debate and Workshops

Masculinity and Femininity. Identity in Times of Change | Debate and Workshops

How do we understand masculinity and femininity today? Where do identity boundaries run in a world of rapid cultural and social change? On March 4, 2026 we invite you to the debate “Masculinity and Femininity. Identity in Times of Change”, which opens this year’s edition of the “Let’s Talk About the Human” series. 📅 March 4, 2026, 18:00 — opening debate of the series (free entry).

In recent years there has been a sharp decline in women identifying with traditionally assigned roles (wife and mother) from 53.3% to 27.6%. At the same time there has been a clear increase in preference for a role combining home and professional work — from 41.3% to 68.5%. The data confirm a move away from the traditional model in favor of a model combining family life with professional activity.

Interestingly, men more often than women identify with traits of the opposite gender. 21% of men describe themselves as more feminine, while only 5% of women indicate the masculine side. The shares of people identifying extremely with their own gender are similar (41% of men and 43% of women), yet masculinity appears more flexible, while femininity more often remains unambiguous or undefined.

During the debate we will examine contemporary changes in the understanding of femininity and masculinity and their impact on building relationships, the sense of coherent identity, and life decisions. The starting points will be both current social data and the cultural experiences of young adults for whom traditional gender roles cease to be an obvious reference.

• Dr hab. Wojciech Kulesza — Professor at SWPS University, head of the Department of Social Psychology. His research covers, among other topics, mimicry, unrealistic optimism and so-called medical fake news. Author of the book “The Chameleon Effect. The Psychology of Imitation” (2016).
• Dr hab. Anna Perkowska-Klejman — Professor at the Academy of Special Education, head of the Department of Social Pedagogy; she conducts research on reflectivity and its educational potential. Author of the book “Searching for Reflectivity in Education” (2019).

• Dr Bartosz Wieczorek — ethicist, philosopher, cultural theologian, expert at the Center for the Thought of John Paul II.

📅 Workshops: March 10, 17, 24, 2026, 18:00 (seminar-style sessions focusing on analysis of issues raised during the debate using philosophical and psychological tools).

Application form / workshop registration: https://tiny.pl/w97h19qf5

Registration is required for the workshops.

Inspired by strong interest in last year’s meetings, we invite you to participate in the entire cycle of debates, meetings and workshops, which in 2026 ask how contemporary social changes influence the understanding of masculinity and femininity, what conditions favor building mature and lasting bonds, and how individual aspirations and cultural patterns shape partner relationships. An important thread will also be reflection on parenthood as a personal choice rooted in relationship, love and responsibility.

• 14.04 | 18:00 — debate “Growing into relationships. Personal maturity as a condition for closeness”
• 05.05 | 18:00 — debate “Expectations in a relationship. Between dreams and everyday life”
• 02.06 | 18:00 — debate “Fertility and parenthood. Between personal choice and demography”

Media patron: Instytut Tertio Millennio