Men and boys matter: Psychology professor reveals hidden issues we need to talk about

(Press-News.org) These include those linked to body image, fatherhood and sexual relationships. His latest book - Current Issues Facing Men and Boys – also argues that men struggle to negotiate harmful notions of masculinity and are not included in conversations around gender.

Current Issues Facing Men and Boys urges the public, policymakers, practitioners and other key stakeholders to explore and support policies and practices that promote male wellbeing. This book comes as the UK government announces plans for the country's first men's health strategy, aiming to address health issues disproportionately affecting men.

Alongside health issues, the book explores everything from fatherhood and education to gaming addiction and homelessness, most of which are often ignored because men are too readily seen as ‘the problem’ rather than ‘having problems’, according to the leading academic.

Throughout the book, Professor Hine calls for an urgent shift in thinking and outlines ways to help men who struggle based on a series of principles. These include cultural and gender inclusivity, evidence-based approaches and early intervention, which he says will ultimately improve gender equality.

Benjamin Hine, Professor of Applied Psychology at the University of West London, a leading expert in this area, is also Chair of the Male Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society and co-founder of the Men and Boys Coalition. He believes that, “In today's rapidly shifting societal landscape, where the discourse around gender equality has gained significant momentum, the unique set of challenges faced by men and boys frequently goes unnoticed or is overshadowed.”

“However, it is essential to approach the subject of men's issues without automatically framing men as ‘the problem’. Men, like all individuals, are complex human beings with their own unique struggles, vulnerabilities, and challenges.”

“Moreover, the task of challenging and redefining the role of masculinity in these issues is not merely an academic exercise but a societal imperative. The health and wellbeing of men and boys depends on our collective ability to foster an understanding of masculinity that embraces vulnerability, values emotional literacy, and celebrates diversity.”

Crucially, inclusive, intersectional approaches for men and boys of all backgrounds, including across ethnic, religious, and gender/sexual identities, should be part of natural thinking for all organisations, including an immediate priority on men’s mental health and high suicide rate.

Professor Hine goes on to warn that it is really important how we have these conversations. If young men feel ‘excluded or alienated’ from gender discussions, which often justifiably focus on critical issues facing ‘women and marginalised groups’, this can leave men feeling resentful and lead to them feeling lonely, alienated, depressed, and engaging with extreme views, especially when they seek solace in toxic online spaces. Part of the problem, he argues, is that issues said to affect women and those which impact men have often been rigidly separated when they are in fact closely linked.

As a whistlestop tour of men’s issues, supported by a wealth of empirical evidence, Professor Hine covers everything from mental health, men in the media, education, fatherhood, sexual violence, homelessness, and much more, including gaming addiction, body image issues, and gang violence. This includes examining how different ‘actors’ in society influence these issues, from institutions like the army, prison and the police, to individual influencers like Andrew Tate and Harry Styles.

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