Qualitative Health Research Group Seminar
‘Men Understanding Health’
Prof Steve Robertson, Leeds Metropolitan University
Wednesday 31 October, 12-2
Wolfson Research Institute, F009,
Queen’s Campus Durham University
Abstract: While research on lay perspectives of health now has a well-established history, specific empirical data on male lay perspectives of health and well-being are largely absent. Drawing on focus group data and in-depth interviews with 20 lay men (including sub-samples of gay men and disabled men), and seven health professionals, this discussion explores how the men conceptualized ‘health’ and the gendered nature of such conceptualizations. Specific emphasis is given to considering notions of ‘control’ an ‘release’, and the associated issues of ‘risk’ and ‘responsibility’, in the participants’ health narratives. A conceptual model for under-standing ‘masculinity’ and ‘health’ is presented.
Biography: Steve worked in the UK National Health Service for over twenty years as a nurse and health visitor, before commencing a career in research in 1999. He completed his PhD at Lancaster University in 2003 and has since been involved in a variety of research and evaluation projects. His main interests and publications are around social theories of masculinity and their application to aspects of health and illness but he has also worked on: masculinity and disability; the sociology of (male) bodies; fathers and fatherhood; men, masculinity and mental wellbeing; evaluating men’s health programmes, and men’s engagement (or not) with health services. His first book, Understanding Men & Health: Masculinities, Identity and WellBeing, was published by O.U. Press in Autumn 2007 and his second, edited text, Men, Masculinities & Health: Critical Perspectives, was published by Palgrave in Autumn 2009.