“Supporting and Promoting Male Health and Wellbeing”

CDHN Networking event March 5th 2009

The Old Library Trust Creggan Health Living Centre

Michael Lynch

Men's “Health” “Issues”

The work of M.A.N A Brief History/overview

Support /Outreach

Networking /Advocacy

Creating male specific services

Challenge/lobby others to do same

Men's Health Week ~~Fathers Day

What are Men's Health/IssuesHolistic

Anything that effects Men's Health and Wellbeing

and has a unhealthy bearing on their

thinking ,emotions , behaviour.

Men die on average 5 years younger than women

Men complete suicide 4 to 5 times more often that women

Lifestyle/wellbeing ~~ choices and consequences

What are the issues that impact on Men's Health?

Any factor within personal ,family ,work ,social

or societal life that has an impact on wellbeing .

A holistic model of health The Men's SectorAssessing/highlighting the

needs/inequalities,Issues

Lobbying Government

What are some of the issues Research and data

Men as victims of domestic abuse.Male health needs and health-seeking behaviour.

Male underachievement in formal education.The important role of fathers in their children's

lives and how fatherlessness impacts upon children.

Homophobia and homophobic attacks.Men as both perpetrators and victims of violence.

The needs of rural men.

Employment

Enduring culture of the workplaceWork-life balance for men

Under-performance of boys at school impacts on and limits career choices.

Workplace terms and conditions

Health and Well-being

Male-specific issues/servicesPhysical Health

Sexual and Reproductive healthMental and Emotional health

PovertyUnder performance at school can limit future career

choices and, subsequently, income. Men in the lowest paid jobs (e.g. migrant workers) are

most likely to suffer poverty and to be ineligible for state benefits.

Males are the group most likely to be homeless.Separated fathers who leave the family home are very

likely to not be able to afford suitable accommodation and to suffer financial hardship. 

Particularly vulnerable groups of men include: male lone parents, older men, rural men engaged in small-

holding agriculture and disabled men.

Education and trainingBoys are increasingly under-performing at school

Career advice for all school pupils is inadequate.

Secondary education has placed much more emphasis upon academic qualifications

The school curriculum does not (usually) cover important life skills for boys

Demise of quality, structured, apprenticeships

Shortage of male teachers

Men are missing from the programmes of most adult education providers

Decision-makingThere is a need for male champions of gender-

sensitive decision-making. 

While many of the key decision-makers in Northern Ireland are male, there are few

working class men in these positions. The key protagonists are, therefore, not representative

of males generally. 

There are very few examples of young men being involved in decision-making processes.

Violence and crimeMost prisoners are male

Domestic abuse is a major concern for our societyYoung men, moving from the Juvenile Justice

System to adult institutions, are very vulnerable and at risk of learning new criminal behavioursFalse allegations against non-resident fathers Men are the group most likely to be both the perpetrators and the victims of a violent attack

There are few programmes available for males who recognise their potentially out-of-control

behaviour and who wish to do something about it.

Boy childBoys “toughened-up“

Rites of passage Education is often seen as "something for

girls". Risk-taking behaviours

Non-traditional roles / careers.Our society often makes a default cultural assumption that all males are heterosexual.

Support to cope with life transitions

CaringFathers often insignificant "bread winner" or

disciplinarian.There is little practical support, skills training,

advice or father-specific information Involving fathers at every stage of their children's

livesEquality before the law in contested child

access/residency cases.Shortage of male staff in family support services

Lone fathers and CSAThe value of male carers

MediaThere is a lot of stereotyping of men in the

media. Men are mostly portrayed as violent, stupid,

incapable, insensitive, strong, sex-obsessed, heterosexual, heroes or villains ... The broader range of masculinities is rarely

alluded to.There are few positive images of / messages

about men portrayed in the media.

Peace and securityMales who have lived through the Troubles have

very limited opportunities to de-brief and make sense of what they have experienced. 

Lack of specific support programmes for ex-paramilitaries (mostly male) to encourage the re-channelling/re-focusing of their experience and

skills in our post-conflict society.While men are often seen as the main players in the

Troubles, little is known about their important positive contribution to the peace process.

The Security Forces lack gender and diversity training.

Some Nuances of Men's Work

Recognising many men still work from generational stereotypes until experiencing an

alternative that works The need to value /validate men-and the work done with men

The need to promote “Strength of Choice” messages/thinking

To acknowledge each man is uniquely different

The work is often slow and person centred

Men are often looking for a “Quick Fix”

What are the Main Challenges for those wanting to engage with men

TO LISTENCost effectiveness –recourse implications

Learning how to engage with men

Awareness of gender dimensions

Men’s work should COMPLEMENT not CONFLICT with Women's Work /Health or resources

Applying Section 75 Gender Legislation

Finally