Now and Men Durham University Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse

Prisons can be hyper-masculine, harsh, hierarchical environments where there is a lot of pressure to be tough, never show weakness or emotion, and be prepared to use violence in order to survive. But is it possible to work with men in these spaces to unpack the rigid, restrictive expectations of masculinity that boys and men learn from wider society – and which might have played a part in why they are in prison in the first place? We talk to Dan Boyden, lead facilitator at Safe Ground, about how they do this in their work.

The surging interest in Euro 2022, the Women’s European Championships taking place in England this summer, provides more evidence that we are in a ‘new age’ when it comes to coverage of women’s football. It highlights that much has been achieved in building gender equality in soccer in the UK and beyond. However, numerous recent issues, from questionable stadium choices to high-profile cases of sexual and domestic violence by male players, demonstrate there is still a long way to go, particularly in getting more men to speak out against sexism and misogyny in the game.

Many older men, especially those who are socially isolated, face significant challenges – from physical ill-health, to loneliness, to marginalisation and poverty. These struggles can be compounded by the ‘hard shell’ of masculinity, which can leave some older men feeling a loss of a sense of purpose and potency, and prevent them from opening up about their vulnerabilities or the need for connection and support. Yet growing older can also provide opportunities for reflection, taking life in new directions, and leaving behind restrictive gendered expectations. In this episode, we have a moving conversation with Sé Franklin about the work he does with older men in Ireland – as well as the profound impact of doing ‘inner work’ guided by feminist principles.

Luis Lineo was born in Ukraine to Chilean parents, and was raised there by a single mother. He moved to Sweden at the age of 12 as a refugee. As an adult, he became involved in work on masculinity, violence, and gender equality. We speak to him about the impact of watching on as his country of birth is invaded, and why masculinity and gender matter in the war on Ukraine. We also explore issues of inequality, integration, and violence in contemporary Sweden, and why Swedish society is more complicated than the beacon of gender equality it is often perceived to be.

Some men are playing an active part in speaking out against violence towards women – but not nearly enough of them. So how do those men who are involved in anti-violence activism come to that position, and what can we learn from their experiences? One year on from the murder of Sarah Everard, these questions remain as urgent as ever.

There is probably no one who has had as big an impact on understandings of men and masculinities as Professor Raewyn Connell, who recently received the International Sociological Association's Award for Excellence in Research and Practice in recognition of her enormous contribution to social science. It was therefore a huge privilege to talk to Raewyn for this episode of Now and Men. We look back at some of her earliest work and the development of her hugely influential theory of hegemonic masculinity, and consider its relevance to today. In the process, we cover issues including war, Covid, environmentalism, backlash, and her own life history.