1st Edition
Current Issues Facing Men and Boys A Case for Urgent Change
This important book offers an accessible overview and timely examination of the unique challenges faced by men and boys in contemporary society.
It covers a wide range of topics, including the male mental health crisis, the impact of media and popular culture on male identity, and issues related to body image, as well as education, work, sexual behaviour, relationships and the evolving roles of fatherhood. Additionally, it addresses the prevalence of violence, homelessness, substance misuse, and the specific issues faced by men in institutional settings like the military and prison. Written in a user-friendly style, each chapter contains summary action points and signposts to further resources where relevant. The book takes an intersectional approach throughout, which continually considers the role of gender, ethnicity, religion, culture, class, and sexuality in the lives of men and boys. It therefore serves as an inclusive and comprehensive resource for promoting a more compassionate society, highlighting the need for evidence-based interventions and strategies to foster meaningful change that supports the wellbeing of men and boys.
Emphasising that addressing men's issues complements and reinforces the broader fight for gender equality, this practical book is highly relevant for mental health professionals, educators and other practitioners who are interested in understanding the unique challenges that men and boys face. It will also be useful reading for students of psychology, gender studies, sociology, health and social care, and many other subjects.
Section 1: Introduction 1. Introduction 2. Masculinity & Gender Roles Section 2: Men, Mental Health, and the Media 3. Male Mental Health 4. Suicide 5. Media, Pop Culture, & Male Identity 6. Screen Time & Gaming Addiction Section 3: The Body & Sexual Behaviour 7. Body Image 8. Gym and Steroid Addiction 9. Circumcision 10. Sexual Behaviour & Consent 11. Pornography Section 4: Education & Work 12. Education 13. Higher Education 14. Work 15. Work-life Balance Section 5: Relationships & Fatherhood 16. Friendship & Romance 17. Fatherhood 18. Family Breakdown, Separation, & Divorce Section 6: Vulnerable Men 19. Violence 20. Homelessness 21. The Army, Prison, and the Police 22. Substance Use and Misuse Section 7: Intersectionality & Intervention 23. Gender and Ethnicity, Religion, Culture, Class, and Sexuality 24. Effective Interventions and Strategies 25. Conclusion
Biography
Benjamin A. Hine is Professor of Applied Psychology at the University of West London, UK. He is co-founder of the Men and Boys Coalition, a network that aims to raise awareness of the issues facing men and boys in the UK. He is also currently Chair of the Male Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society, and is a researcher, speaker, and activist across a number of topics affecting men and boys, including reading attainment, experiences of family separation, and domestic violence. Find out more here: https://drbenhine.co.uk/
