Men - from the NICVA Policy Manifesto
Posted by Feargal O'Kane on Feb 12 2007 under Men, Policy Manifesto |
In recent times the contribution that men make to society is often shrouded with negativity. More often than not, it is only these negative aspects of men’s lives, such as young men and anti-social behaviour, that are reported. There is, of course, a real need to challenge this negativity and to highlight the positive contribution that men make to society.
Resources only tend to be allocated to ‘problem males’ (eg when large numbers die from suicide or are abusive to their partners or are in trouble with the law). This approach should be reviewed in order to ensure that there is a more coherent and visionary strategy from government that supports the positive development of men and boys.
It should be stated clearly that the men’s sector does not see itself as being in competition with the women’s sector and is a strong advocate of the development of policies that are gender sensitive. There is an inherent interdependency between males and females, and policies and strategies should recognise and embrace this interdependency.
However, there should not be a one-size-fits all approach towards addressing issues that affect men. Males, themselves, are a diverse group with a range of specifi c needs. Yet, there is a general consensus that current public sector initiatives rarely actively target men in community contexts or seek to identify their range of concerns.
Many practitioners in the men’s sector fi nd themselves isolated and working on the margins without sufficient resources or a supportive policy context for their endeavours. Indeed, most advances that have been made in this field are attributable to individual visionaries (both men and women) who recognise, and are committed to, the need for action. The vast majority of such initiatives have been spearheaded by the voluntary and community sector without any
statutory support.
Political parties and the Assembly should
- Develop a Men’s Health Strategy for Northern Ireland similar to the process followed in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ensure that the Men’s Health Strategy for Northern Ireland is underpinned by extensive research into men’s health-seeking behaviours; the development of innovative and pioneering health promotion initiatives; the setting of specifi c targets to improve male health and increase male life expectancy within a given time period; the provision of sufficient resources to meet the outcomes outlined in the strategy.
- Support the establishment of appropriate mental and emotional support services which can help men to deal with times of crisis or upheaval in their lives. At present, many men turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism.
- Develop strategies and provide suffi cient resources to pilot new approaches to engaging men in adult education programmes. This should be one part of a wider action plan to address the increasing failure of males in the education system.
- Address deficiencies in the recruitment and retention of male workers in what are traditionally viewed as ‘women’s professions’ — especially teachers in nursery and primary schools, family and childcare work, work with vulnerable adults and the nursing profession.
- Research in greater detail the issue of domestic violence against men and the need for dedicated support services as well as looking at alternative custodial models of working with male perpetrators.
- Ensure all training of agencies, professionals, policies and procedures connected to family law is based on equality of treatment.
- Support the increased involvement of men in family life and associated caring duties by:
- extending the length and rate of Paternity Pay;
- providing resources to develop innovative models of parenting education for fathers;
- commissioning qualitative and quantitative research into the needs of local fathers;
- ensuring that family support services actively include fathers in their provision.
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