Introduction

Abstract

In recent years, men have become a problem. That is, within many domains of life, relative to their female counterparts, men and boys are increasingly seen as somehow troubled or deficient. A slew of alarming statistics from the UK makes worrying reading. Take physical health. Life expectancy for men is currently 4.1 years lower than for women, with men more likely to die from the main common causes of death, such as cancer and heart disease (Office for National Statistics [ONS], 2012b). Or consider mental health. Men account for three-quarters of all suicide deaths (ONS, 2012d) and constitute 67 per cent of those detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act in England (NHS Information Centre, 2011). What about education? Boys are struggling at school, being outperformed by girls at all ages from 5 upwards, with 59 per cent of university entrants being female (Economic and Human Rights Commission [EHRC], 2011). Or crime? Men are more likely to commit and be the victim of violence, and overall constitute 95 per cent of the UK prison population (Ministry of Justice, 2012). Together, these figures paint a disturbing picture of a sex in trouble.

[As a youth] I was trying to emulate some kind of manhood, seeking symbols of machoism, sexual conquests, being anarchic, not conforming. A lot of that came from feeling insecure …To not feel anxiety, that’s what [that behaviour] stems from. (Ernest)