Cinderfella (Finally) Goes to the Ball - Men's Life and Times

Author(s): Colin Fowler and Paula Devine
Document Type: Chapter
Year: 2004
Title of Publication: Social Attitudes in Northern Ireland: The Ninth Report
Editor(s): Katrina Lloyd, Paula Devine, Ann Marie Gray and Deirdre Heenan
Publisher: Pluto Press
Place of Publication: London
ISBN: 0 7453 2156 9
Pages: 5-20
Subject Area(s): Gender, Health, Equality, Employment

Abbreviations: NI - Northern Ireland, NILT - Northern Ireland Life and Times

Background to the Research

  • Until now, there has never been a large-scale random sample survey of attitudes and values to a range of 'men's issues' conducted within NI.
  • Men's Life and Times, a module within the 2000 NILT survey, is, therefore, a milestone piece of research. It is particularly welcome because it not only asks men and boys about issues which affect themselves, but it also asks women and girls for their opinions on these subjects. This dimension makes Men's Life and Times unique.

Research Approach

  • The data used by the authors come from the 2000 NILT survey.
  • The NILT survey began in 1998 and is carried out annually. Interviews are carried out with a random selection of around 1,800 adults (aged 18 years and over) who live in private households in NI.
  • The Men's Life and Times module asked both men and women about men's issues in NI.

Main Findings

  • Men and women think quite similarly about which jobs are appropriate for whom.
  • Although role reversal is desirable, it is perceived to be easier for women than men.
  • Although respondents agree that 'most workplaces expect so much of their employees that men can't get enough time to spend with their families', many also believe that 'many fathers choose to work such long hours that it damages family life'.
  • Fewer men (59%) than women (67%) agree that 'men can care for children just as well as women can, although younger men show higher levels of support than older men.
  • Across a wide range of social issues, there is strong support for both policy change and the introduction of expanded services to meet men's needs, such as paid paternity leave, a helpline run by men for men, and Well Man Clinics.
  • Half of men and women perceive that 'men fear failure more than women', which has implications in terms of seeking support, attending counselling, trying new things and embracing change.

Conclusions

  • There is still a long way to go before men's needs and issues are fully represented and reflected within the policy agenda. However, it will be detrimental to both men and women if policy and decision-makers continue to react to emerging problems rather than formulating proactive, preventative strategies.

 

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