Masculinities and their impact on work with young fathers

1
Masculinities and their impact on work with young
fathers
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Masculinities and their impact on work with young
fathersWorking With Men

• Changes in circumstances
• 1960 2000
• Leave school 16 18
• Leave home 18 24
• Marry / live with 20 27
• Become fathers 21 28
• (from Annual Abstracts of Statistics)

3
Masculinities and their impact on work with young
fathersWorking With Men

• Implications and changes
• Workplace
• Housing
• Independence
• Gender roles
• Attitudes towards fatherhood

4
Masculinities and their impact on work with young
fathersWorking With Men

• Young fathers - what do we know?
• Dont know a lot
• 10,000 across the country
• stereotypes are very strong (young, male, father)
• more likely to be from poorer communities
• research suggests the picture is complex
• structural barriers
• relationship barriers
• societal and professional barriers
• hard to access
• reluctant users of services

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Masculinities and their impact on work with young
fathersWorking With Men

• Boys and Young Men Health practice review
• Projects interviewed
• Alive and Kicking (CEDC)
• Barnardos Young Mens Project
• CALM
• Dorset Suicide Strategy
• Enigma
• 42nd Street
• Hospital Youth Work Team
• LEAP
• Loudmouth Theatre Company
• New Bridge
• Running the Risk
• Strides

6
Masculinities and their impact on work with young
fathersWorking With Men

• Young Men responded when.
• They were desperate
• Access was easy or easier
• Identity was involved
• Projects were advocates
• There was coercion or little choice

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Masculinities and their impact on work with young
fathersWorking With Men

• Methods and approaches that worked
• Positive attitude towards young men
• Practical in nature
• Direct and engaging
• (Feelings take longer)
• Challenging and expectations that they take risks
• Adaptable to different groups
• Solution, not problem focused
• Humour always helps
• Targeted when receptive
• Skills-based
• Clarity of purpose (and know how to communicate
  this)
• Understanding of young men
• A willingness to learn from practice