Background to the Research

• The Male Link (TML) is a cross-community, cross-Border, voluntary network of men and women, individuals and organisations, who share a common belief that it is important to increase awareness of the issues facing males in the north of Ireland and who wish to initiate practical action to meet this need.
• This study sought to provide baseline feedback on men's views about themselves and the world they live in; highlight key issues and inform the focus, direction and implementation of future practical programmes for men across the north of Ireland; provide a lever to exert pressure for increased resources in this area; raise the public profile of men's work/issues.

Research Approach

• A survey of 632 men throughout Ireland was undertaken. The development of the questionnaire was overseen by a research sub-group and research steering group.
  

Main Findings

Demographic Information

• 79% of respondents lived in Northern Ireland and 21% were from the ROI
• 34% lived in a city, 38% in a town, 11% in a village and 17% in the countryside
• Ages ranged from 15 to 70
• 4% of respondents were gay, while 2% were bisexual
• 59% were in a relationship or married, 34% were single, while the rest were either separated, divorced or widowed
• More than half of those who responded said they had children
• 68% were employed, 10% unemployed and the remainder were students, retired, in training or out of work due to ill health. Two men were full-time carers
• 48% were Roman Catholic, 32% Protestant, 2% came from another religious background and 15% came from no Religious background. A further 3% did not wish to answer this question

Attitudes and Beliefs

• Nearly 80% of men disagreed with the statement that real men don't cry and 86% strongly agreed/agreed that talking about your feelings is OK.
• Nearly two thirds of men agreed, to some extent, that "sometimes you don't do something in case you fail".
• Nearly two thirds of men strongly agreed or agreed that nursing is a good career for a man, although one quarter of respondents were undecided.
• Only 18% of men agreed that the man should be the chief breadwinner in a household.
• There was support for the idea that it is more difficult for men to take on traditional female roles than visa-versa and that there is pressure on men to behave in a certain way.
• 40% of respondents felt that the media portray men in a negative way and almost two thirds believed that men are discriminated against on the basis of their sex.
• There was overwhelming support for the statement that men and women should always be treated equally, and a strong feeling that straight, gay and bisexual men should be treated equally.
• Respondents felt that men can care for children equally as well as women. This supports the general feeling against the statement that after separation/divorce children should always stay with their mother. However, 58% of men felt that family law upholds the rights of women more than men.
• Nearly three quarters of men felt that their lives would be better if they looked after themselves more. Despite this, 60% of respondents still saw going to the pub as a good way to relax.
• There was general disagreement with the notion of only going to the doctor when there is something seriously wrong. However, there was no obvious consensus as to whether or not Health Services take men's health seriously.
• The vast majority of men disagreed that sometimes suicide is the only escape from life's problems, however 17% showed some agreement.
• 42% of men felt that women don't understand them and over three quarters (77%) of respondents agreed that some men are abused by their partners.
• Attitudes to the statement that "being gay or bisexual is as natural as being straight" were very mixed, with 38% showing some agreement, 18% being undecided and 44% showing some disagreement.
• Nearly three quarters of respondents disagreed that men need less emotional support than women and 86% disagreed that men shouldn't ask for help even if they've got a problem.
• Respondents agreed that support was needed from other men, other fathers, and other men's groups - as well as from religion.
• There was strong agreement that support services are geared towards women.
• It was felt that men can at times, be their own worst enemy - 73% of respondents felt that men use their power to threaten each other.
• 87% of men agreed that men should be involved in improving their local community.

The full text of this report can be found at The Men's Project web-site.