Experiences Of Men Research Articles

Illuminating the Shadows: Unveiling the Path of Black Men in the Information Technology Workforce

The absence of Black1 men2 in the Information Technology (IT)3 sector is a pressing issue both in academia and society. Diversity enriches learning, with diverse backgrounds offering varied experiences. An ethnically varied IT field can significantly influence the recruitment and retention of minority undergraduates by offering mentors and role models. This research, rooted in the Individual Differences Theory of Gender and IT, uses qualitative methods and interviews to delve into the experiences of Black men. While many studies touch upon gender and racial disparities, few specifically address Black men's experiences. This paper bridges this gap, spotlighting the underrepresentation of Black men in IT, and identifies key factors for future research based on a study begun in 2011, further enriching existing literature and theories.

Getting big but not hard: A retrospective case-study of a male powerlifter's experience of steroid-induced erectile dysfunction

This article aims to excavate the lived experience of suffering with steroid-induced erectile dysfunction. By drawing upon original qualitative data, we chart the subjective journey to recovery of a male powerlifter and draw attention to the potential dangers of a self-help approach to treatment. Erectile dysfunction is a common symptom of anabolic-androgenic steroid-induced hypogonadism, a condition not commonly reported or discussed and is therefore a poorly studied health issue. Often considered a taboo subject, detailed accounts of men's experience of erectile dysfunction are relatively sparce, and so this paper makes an important contribution to bolstering what is a limited literature base. Links between contemporary conceptions of masculinity, muscularity, and sexual prowess are explored and form the basis of a critical analysis of popular treatment and prevention strategies. Among the central findings, this article suggests that steroids are not consumed despite the well-known risks, but precisely because the risks are well-known and ostensibly mitigated through engagement with ‘bro-science’. We conclude that there is a concerning misalignment in current treatment and prevention strategies that needs to be addressed if the issue of non-prescribed steroid use is to be effectively tackled. This research therefore raises serious questions for the healthcare profession and its approach towards treating and preventing steroid consumption.

An Exploration of Black Men's Attitudes and Experiences Communicating with Dentists about Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer.

Poor oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) survival among Black men is partially due to their limited knowledge about OPCs, which is exacerbated by dentists' limited training and discomfort in discussing OPC risk factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes and experiences that Black men have communicating with dentists about OPCs. To qualitatively assess these attitudes and experiences, a focus group guide and recruitment strategy were developed using a community engagement approach. Data were analyzed using grounded theory. Twenty-three self-identified Black men participated in three focus groups through the Zoom platform (mean age of 46.1 years). Four main themes emerged, which identified that participants: (1) had little knowledge of OPCs; (2) felt that addressing OPC risk among Black men was not a priority for dentists; (3) stressed the importance of dentists acknowledging the complexity of how race and gender affects Black men's healthcare experiences; and (4) expressed a benefit to receiving information from multiple social networks. The focus groups provided context for how dentists might engage with Black men in discussions about OPC prevention and treatment.

Older Men, The Patient-Physician Relationship, and Patient Involvement.

Despite the fact that older adults interact frequently with physicians, there is little research examining their preferences, and perceptions of the patient-physician relationship. Research on this topic is particularly sparse when it comes to older men. This study investigates older men's experiences with physicians, their perceptions of the patient-physician relationship, and the extent to which they wished to be involved in their health care. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 23 men 55-96 years of age. Findings reveal that older men want to participate in the medical encounter and be involved in their care, contradicting earlier work suggesting that older adults prefer to be passive patients. Preferred involvement, however, varied along a continuum ranging from "quasi-involvement" to "taking charge", with most participants being in the middle, preferring a "partnership" patient-physician relationship. Factors influencing patient involvement and potential to negotiate the patient-physician relationship are discussed.

A cross-national study of family-friendly policies, gender egalitarianism, and work-family conflict among working parents.

Social policies impinge on daily lives of individuals and affect how they negotiate work and family demands. To fill in the void in the international work-family literature regarding whether public family-friendly policies effectively decrease work-family conflict the present study examined multilevel effects of family-friendly policies, organizational type, and family characteristics on working parents' work-family conflict by gender using random samples of 6,878 individuals in 24 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. Drawn on role stress theory, gender egalitarianism, and institutional theory this study showed that parental leave policies have greater influence on work-family conflict among men compared to women. Individual dimensions of parental leave policies on men's experience of work-family conflict impinged on workplace characteristics and family characteristics. Implementing parental leave policies with high flexibility and higher rates of income replacement may help men with working spouses or who are employed in the public sector to reduce bidirectional conflicts between work and family. Women generally were not protected by individual dimensions of parental leave policies. Instead, societal attitudes towards gender played a key role in helping women reduce bidirectional conflicts between work and family roles.

A gender perspective on perceived causes of sick leave due to common mental disorders among young Swedish employees: A qualitative interview study.

Common mental disorder (CMD) is the most common reason for sick leave among young employees in Sweden, with young women having a higher prevalence. There is a lack of studies focusing on young employees' own perceptions of sick leave. The aim was twofold: to investigate 1) perceived causes of sick leave due to CMD among young employees, and 2) differences and similarities among women and men. Using a qualitative design with an applied gender perspective enabled us to capture young employees' gendered experiences and consider cultural and social aspects of their situations. We interviewed 13 women and 12 men (aged 20-29) with experience of being on sick leave and applied a conventional inductive content analysis. Six categories were identified: a) Being new to the labour market and the workplace; b) Want to prove themselves; c) To be exposed to poor working conditions; d) Relations at work; e) Being vulnerable; and f) Additional private life burdens. This study adds to the understanding of young employees' perceived causes of sick leave due to CMD, by letting them share their experiences of events prior to sick leave connected to work and private life. Similarities and differences in women's and men's experiences were revealed. Overall, both young men and women describe a more pressured work situation for young women compared to their male counterparts, that young women take more social responsibility in private life and at work whereas men on the other hand find it harder to disclose mental health problems.

A pole new world: Maneuvering masculinity and sexuality among men who pole dance

AbstractResearch on cisgender men's experiences in feminized or women‐dominated sports, physical activities, and leisure time has revealed strategies men use to circumvent or maneuver stigmas to minimize negative perceptions. Pole dancing is an under‐researched activity uniquely positioned to understand dynamics of gender and sexuality. In this research dialogue, we present preliminary results from 13 semi‐structured interviews with U.S. men who pole dance to understand how they navigate masculinity and sexuality in pole dancing. First, we find men very strategically disclose their pole dancing to others in the context of the activity's connections to women, gay men, and sex work. Second, we note how men who “pole” often rely on gender essentialist tropes that reinforce the assumption of natural, biological differences between men and women in attempt to legitimize their participation. Third, men who pole are aware of the potential “creepiness” of their presence in pole dance spaces and use this as an opportunity for reflection. Exploring how men rationalize their participation in pole dance is useful to understand the gender and sexual dynamics of men's presence in women‐dominated spaces and broader contemporary masculinities.

Exploring gender differences in HIV-related stigma and social support in a low-resource setting: A qualitative study in the Dominican Republic.

HIV-related stigma can affect health by compromising coping and social support. Gender differences in stigma experiences and social support are underexplored, particularly in the Caribbean. We conducted semi-structured interviews (N = 32) with patients at two HIV clinics in the Dominican Republic. Transcripts were coded using qualitative content analysis (deductive and inductive approaches) to identify themes regarding stigma experiences and social support, which were then compared across men and women participants to identify gender differences. While both men and women described experienced stigma, including verbal abuse, men's experience of stigma were subtler and women described outright rejection and instances of physical violence, including intimate partner violence. Both men and women described job discrimination, but women described severe disempowerment as well as permanent loss of income and/or employment whereas men described temporary changes in employment and /or decrease in income. Men and women described modifying behavior due to anticipated stigma, but only women discussed isolating themselves and discomfort taking HIV medication in front of others. Regarding internalized stigma, both men and women described shame, guilt, and depression over their HIV status, though these experiences were more common among women. Women's experiences prevented health care seeking and included suicidality, while men sometimes blamed women for their HIV status and expressed a desire to "move on" and "look ahead." Both men and women described receiving financial support from family and friends, community support from neighbors, governmental support, and support from other people living with HIV. Women most frequently discussed receiving support from family and friends and using religiosity to cope, whereas men referenced general family support and government benefits and were less forthcoming about personal relationships and social networks, oftentimes not disclosing HIV status to others. The social context of HIV-related stigma affects women and men differently with physical and mental health impacts and may require distinct mitigation approaches.

Managers' perceptions of masculinity and racialization in Swedish nursing homes

AbstractNursing homes for older people are an integral part in most postindustrial welfare states. The strong formalization and regulation of the Swedish care sector have contributed to a comparatively large share of frontline workers being native‐born Swedish women with a shorter educational background. Yet, an aging population in interplay with increased difficulties to recruit sufficient numbers of native‐born care workers has led to Sweden following an internationally observed trend with an increased reliance on not only migrant women but also migrant men as care workers in residential care facilities. However, little is known about migrant men's experiences of care work and the challenges and obstacles they might face because of their gender and skin color, not least when it comes to experiences of being exposed to gendered racism from the residents. The study builds on interviews with 21 managers employed at Swedish elder care facilities in the Stockholm area. The results suggest that both Black women and men to a greater extent than other ethnic minority workers risk being exposed to racism. At the same time, the results suggest that Black men, due to their gender and skin color, constitute the group of staff that most of all risks encountering racism in the everyday life of caregiving. Taken together, this points to the need of highlighting how stereotypes of gender and race as well as gendered racism are given and gain meaning in elder care. This points to the importance of not considering “migrant care workers” an undifferentiated category of workers when working on creating nondiscriminatory and inclusive working conditions for all visibly racialized care workers.

Neo-traditionalist, egalitarian and progressive masculinities in men's heterosexual intimate partner relationships

Shifts in gender roles, identities and relations since the 1980s are continuing to influence masculinities within intimate partner relationships. Forefront in men's contemporary heterosexual relationships have been calls for gender equality and gender equity as a means to promoting the mental health and well-being of partners and their families. Most previous research has focused on a pathologized role of men in relationships (e.g., intimate partner violence). Little is known about how men perceive intimate partner relationships using a strength-based perspective. The current photovoice study addressed the research question, ‘What are the connections between masculinities and men's heterosexual intimate partner relationships?’ to highlight young men's (19-43 years-old) experiences of, and perspectives about their intimate partner relationships. Drawing from individual Zoom interviews with 92 heterosexual, cisgender men from 14 countries, we abductively derived three masculine typologies: 1) neo-traditionalist, 2) egalitarian and 3) progressive. Twenty-two (24%) participants embodied neo-traditionalist masculinities characterized by reliance's on traditional masculine norms that assign domesticities as feminine and prize masculine breadwinner and protector roles. Half of the participants (50%, n = 46) purposefully distanced themselves from traditional masculine norms to engage egalitarian masculinities. These men idealized equal (50-50) contributions and reciprocity wherein counts were often used to evaluate each partner's relative efforts and contributions to the relationship. Progressive masculinities were evident in 26% (n = 24) of participants who focused on fairness and social justice, checking their own privilege to justly operate within the relationship, and more broadly in society. The three typologies are grounded in men's heterosexual intimate partner gender relations, and advance masculinity frameworks to guide future health-research, policy and practice. In addition, there are opportunities for men's mental health promotion by prompting readers' reflexivity to thoughtfully consider what they idealize, and where they map in relation to the masculine typologies featured in the current article.

Single fathers' experiences of using egg donation and surrogacy to start a family.

What are the experiences of single men using egg donation and surrogacy as a route to parenthood? The fathers mainly had a positive relationship with the surrogate and simultaneously exercised agency, and experienced challenges, during the process of surrogacy. Little is known about single men's experiences of egg donation and surrogacy arrangements. Studies have focused on single men's decision-making processes about the use of surrogacy and family functioning once these families are formed. Questions remain about how fathers experience and navigate the process of surrogacy as a single man. The study is an international, in-depth qualitative study of fathers who chose to begin a family and parent alone. Data were collected between 2018 and 2021 as part of a larger study of solo fathers with different routes to parenthood. The present study reports on 21 fathers who used surrogacy and egg donation to begin their family. The average age of the fathers was 44 years, the fathers had young children aged 6 years or younger, and lived in countries across Australia, Europe, and North America. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interview topics included fathers' experiences of the process of using egg donation and surrogacy, and navigating the relationship with the surrogate. The audio-recorded interviews lasted around 2 hours and were subsequently transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and qualitative content analysis. Most of the fathers chose an identifiable egg donor. Regarding the relationship with the surrogate, many fathers had remained in contact with her, but to differing degrees, and they generally reported positive relationships. Thematic analysis led to the identification of three themes relating to the fathers' experiences of choosing surrogacy as a single man: the ability to make choices; challenges and constraints; and special relationship. Due to the variation between different countries regarding laws on surrogacy, contextual factors may have impacted on the experiences of single fathers, and the sample size was small. However, the research provides new insights into an area with little academic literature. Given the growing trend of single men having children through surrogacy, the findings suggest that this new path to parenthood can be both rewarding and challenging. Single men may benefit from tailored support and counselling to help them navigate the surrogacy journey. This study was funded by the Wellcome Trust (grant number 208013/Z/17/Z). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. n/a.

Reconceptualising men's loneliness: An interpretivist interview study of UK-based men

Loneliness has been extensively linked to negative physical and mental health outcomes. Often defined as a subjective emotion, the influence of sex and gender has regularly been cited as vital to understanding individuals' experiences. Despite this, little research has explored men's perspectives of loneliness using interpretivist approaches. This study addresses this by exploring how gender influences men's constructions and experiences of loneliness in an interview study with a diverse sample of 20 UK-based men. Theoretical thematic analysis led to the generation of a novel conceptualisation of loneliness comprising four interconnected themes: socially negotiated self-worth (an intersubjectively defined mental state); being positively occupied (a mental state of meaningful focus/action); social connections (vital for consistently achieving these mental states); and capacity to form social connections. A second ‘layer’ in the findings describes how cultural norms of masculinity impacted loneliness defined in this way. Notions of invulnerability and social comparison could render it more difficult for men to form intimate and supportive connections or seek help for loneliness. However, as they were normative, they could also promote self-worth, and facilitate social connections, despite these negative effects. Similarly, masculine roles, in particular family roles, represented a normative framework for preventing loneliness, and could be both beneficial or problematic depending on other aspects of life, identity, or needs. The study offers insight into how men negotiate loneliness within a habitus incorporating multiple and varied gendered norms, values, and structures. Policy and practice interventions could usefully consider and mitigate the risks posed by non-conformity, aim to promote mental states of self-worth and positive occupation, and work to deconstruct masculine norms and values where appropriate.

Perceived COVID‐induced racism and contextual predictors of fear and psychological distress among Black men

AbstractThe present study examined if Black men's perceptions of COVID‐induced racism (i.e., the extent to which racism increased during the beginning months of the COVID‐19 pandemic) were associated with their reported fear of COVID‐19 and psychological distress. Self‐report COVID‐related variables and psychological distress data from 231 Black men in the U.S. were analyzed alongside archival percentages of confirmed cases and deaths by participants' county at the time of participation. Hierarchical regressions identified perceptions of COVID‐induced racism as a significant predictor of Black men's psychological distress over and above contextual (e.g., county‐level COVID‐19 case %) and individual‐level predictors (i.e., perceived race‐related infection risk and self‐reported COVID‐related stressful life events). This work contributes to the growing literature on health inequities during the COVID‐19 pandemic with a snapshot of Black men's experiences during the COVID‐19 and racism pandemics of 2020 in the U.S.

Danish men's experiences of cardiovascular screening and their views on preventive cardiovascular medication: A qualitative explorative nurse study

ObjectivesThis study explored Danish men's experience of participating in a screening program for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and their perceptions of preventive medication for CVD before and after participation in the screening program. MethodsAn exploratory phenomenological-hermeneutical study. Fifteen men from a cardiovascular screening program for men aged 65–74 years participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before screening and one year later (2015–2017). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Kvale and Brinkmann's approach to data analysis. ResultsTwo main themes were identified: (i) seeking confirmation and control of health: familiarity with CVD; understanding the screening program; confirmation of health; perception of preventive medication, and (ii) sense of own health and prevention: experiences with the screening program; accept or denial of diagnosis and preventive medication. ConclusionA minority of the men understood the nature of the diseases for which they were being examined. The invitation for screening and the outcome of the examinations must be communicated more skilfully. The health providers need to engage early in treatment after the screening and provide an individualised plan that addresses patients concerns and knowledge based on their needs.

BORDER AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION IN LUIS ALBERTO URREA’S THE DEVIL'S HIGHWAY: A TRUE STORY

In the last two decades, literature concerning Latin American undocumented migration to the United States has emerged as a significant resource for comprehending the evolving landscape of state authority. The article considers techno-militaristic and the discursive production of the migrant figure in Luis Alberto Urrea’s Devil’s Highway. The author considers how Urrea’s text constructs a notion of migrant subjectivity and how the text participates in the reproduction of the material and discursive conditions by which the undocumented migration is rendered to readers. Undocumented migration is the focus of cross-border migration story described by Luis Urrea. It emphasizes the pervasive impact of global capitalism on migration processes. The undocumented migrants are perceived by the dominant power as a sub-human category. Urrea’s Devil’s Highway describing contemporary undocumented migration allows for a more nuanced comprehension of migrant subjectivity, extending beyond economic injustice. Urrea interweaves the migrant’s journey with the intricate tales of the border. Nevertheless, the physical encounter of crossing the border constantly interrupts their journey. The desert's autonomous power inscribes the men's experiences instead of the men defining the land. Urrea directs the readers' attention to the tangible reality of the human bodies and the vast desert landscapes, crafting a multi-dimensional narrative that immerses the readers in the story. Urrea vividly portrays the brutal impact of the desert on the bodies of the walkers, urging the readers to empathize with their physical ordeal. The article argues that the subjectivity of undocumented migrants needs to be reconsidered in the context of such discourses as negative globalization, human rights, and economic dispossession.

A male perspective on alopecia areata: are we doing enough?

There is a misconception that alopecia areata (AA) does not affect males to the same extent as females. A recent Alopecia UK study exploring men’s perspective on alopecia stated that men requested that the psychological impact of AA on men needs to be better recognized. Their results demonstrate that men can feel ‘isolated and self-conscious about their appearance within a society in which there exists minimal understanding of male AA’. A review from the Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation raised the concern of suicide risk in young men and boys with AA. We share a 48-year-old man's experience of AA and the risks associated with his Janus kinase inhibitor therapy.

A Qualitative Study of Men's Experiences Using Navigate: A Localized Prostate Cancer Treatment Decision Aid.

The Navigate decision aid Web site was created to help Australian men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (LPC) make an informed decision about their treatment.Navigate was helpful in supporting men's ongoing treatment decision making for LPC.Men's treatment decision making for LPC was greatly influenced by perceived authority and trust in their clinician.Trustworthiness, timing of access, and the clinician's role in empowering men to use available decision aids are crucial.

Experiences and management of urinary incontinence following treatment for prostate cancer: Disrupted embodied practices and adapting to maintain masculinity.

This article explores men's experiences of and management strategies for urinary incontinence (UI) following treatment for prostate cancer. Qualitative interviews with 29 men, recruited from two prostate cancer support groups, explored their post-treatment experiences. Drawing on a conceptual toolkit connecting theories of masculinities, embodiment, and chronic illness, this paper identifies older men's experiences and strategies for managing UI and explores how these are shaped by their masculinities. This article identifies interdependence between managing stigma for UI and maintaining masculinity. Men's embodied practices for engaging in activities in public, crucial to masculine identity, were disrupted. In response, they adopted new reflexive body techniques to manage and resolve their UI, and thereby address the threat to their masculine identities, characterised in three strategies: monitoring, planning, and disciplining. The new embodied practices men described suggest three factors as important components for adopting new reflexive body techniques: routine, desire, and unruliness.

______________________________________________________________________________ 68 Multi-Gender Perspectives about POSH – Is The Policy Gender Inclusive?© 2023 by Ms. Jaya Yaduwanshi & Mr. Vinish Shaji is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 Multi-Gender Perspectives about POSH – Is The Policy Gender Inclusive?

The paper delves into the multi-gender perspectives surrounding the POSH policy's effectiveness and inclusivity. The research incorporates case studies and qualitative data to analyze the impact of the POSH policy on both men and women. The research also addresses the rising concerns of false or malicious complaints and the negative consequences they have on innocent individuals. The study employs exploratory and qualitative research, with case studies from professionals working in various corporate sectors. The respondents' views reveal a prevalent bias towards women, leading to the neglect of men's experiences of sexual harassment. The major findings of the study underline the urgent need for gender-neutral laws and increased awareness of sexual violence against men. Also suggestions are made for crucial amendments to the POSH Act to safeguard men's rights and protect them from exploitation. The paper advocates for a collective effort to recognize and support all victims of sexual violence, regardless of gender, to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment for all individuals.

Nonintimate Polyvictimization and the Severity of Intimate Partner Violence Experienced by Men.

There is a dearth of research on the relation of men's cumulative experiences of nonintimate victimization (polyvictimization) to their victimization in intimate relationships. This study examines the association between nonintimate polyvictimization (including being abused as a child, cyberbullied, stalked, physically assaulted, and experiencing property crime) and the severity of intimate partner violence victimization in men. The sample of 8,784 men in current married/common-law relationships was drawn from a random sample of the 2014 Canadian General Social Survey. About 3% of the men (an estimate of about 265,000 men in Canada) experienced the most severe forms of partner abuse, including the combination of emotional abuse and controlling behaviors, physical violence, and the resulted injuries. Among these severely abused men, about one-third were polyvictims. As expected, a nonintimate polyvictimization predicted the increased severity of male partner abuse victimization, controlling for sociodemographic variables. These findings highlight the importance of preventing nonintimate polyvictimization of men that can help reduce their partner violence victimization.