Theological and Ethical Reflections on Men and Violence: Toward a New Understanding of Masculinity

Abstract

This paper explores the reasons why men express violence against women, children and other men, suggesting that men's violence represents one of the darkest features of masculinity. The way men are socialized and conditioned requires and produces violent behaviors that are destructive to men themselves as well as to women, children, and the earth. The author proposes the need to re-envision masculinity to enable men and women to create communities in which people are encouraged to participate in ‘adventurous partnering for peace’.     

Who's Afraid of Gay Theology? Men's Studies,Gay Scholars,and Heterosexual Silence

Abstract

Despite the growing body of gay scholarship in religious studies, there is a dearth of responses by heterosexual scholars in the field of men's studies in religion. Gay theology can still count more predictably on the ire of a conservative public than on a nuanced, non-homophobic critique by their heterosexual colleagues. What contributes to disregarding gay scholarly voices? Paradoxically, their voices are marginalized to the point of invisibility and yet are also in the center of public discourse. This article sifts through some reasons of why heterosexual men shy away from a public debate of the merits of gay scholarship. Besides methodological reservations, heterosexual male anxieties cause such weariness. Autobiographical insertions by gay scholars combined with discipline-transgressions may lead to ‘homosexual panic’ even among non-homophobic scholars. The article argues that heterosexual men's studies in religion need to overcome their silence and engage the scholarship of gay theology.     

男性不育症诊疗中的伦理学思考

男性不育症是影响男性身心健康的重要疾患。生殖医学,特别是辅助生殖技术突飞猛进的发展,给男性不育症患者带来了福音,同时也给社会带来了许多伦理学问题。在工作中,医生应将伦理学原则与诊疗规范相结合,思考遇到的伦理学问题,自觉遵守医学伦理学规范。唯有这样,才能使生殖医学健康发展,才能保证患者最大程度受益。     

A qualitative review of perception of change for male perpetrators of domestic abuse following abuser schema therapy (AST)

Introduction: Domestic abuse is known to have detrimental effects on all members of the family, yet it is often difficult for victims to leave. It is therefore important to research available intervention programmes for perpetrators who want to change their behaviour. Intervention programmes for perpetrators are informed by different theoretical and philosophical approaches, such as pro‐feminism, psychopathology or biopsychosocial theories. However, there is little consensus to the most effective intervention and there is a paucity of qualitative research on the perspectives of the perpetrators who attend the available therapies. Aim: The aim of this research was to discover the perceptions of change of 18 male, heterosexual perpetrators with female partners who self referred to a community‐based therapy service providing abuser schema therapy (AST). Method: A qualitative methodology was adopted using semi‐structured interviews on completion of therapy, and at three, six, nine and 12 months follow‐up. A content analysis was conducted and data was coded and mapped against a priori variables. Findings: The findings indicated that the four highest rated variables were: (1) a reduction of anger, (2) an increase in communication and assertiveness skills, (3) an increase in ability to think prior to behaviour, and (4) responsibility for personal power. The findings are discussed in relation to the perceived changes for perpetrators. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study seeks to contribute to the development of future effective interventions to reduce aggression within the home.     

L’intention de se maintenir dans une carrière atypique : quels déterminants individuels et contextuels ?

This study seeks to identify the determinants of turnover intention at women in male- dominated occupations, and namely, attitude-based (job satisfaction and organisational commitment), identity-based (self-efficacy and perceived gender-identity conflict), and context-based factors (perceived social support, induction practices and job design). The survey (N=131) reveals that affective commitment predicts two types of turnover intention: job retention and occupation retention. As regards job retention, affective commitment is related to job satisfaction and job-context structure ; as to occupation retention, affective commitment is linked to self-efficacy and perceived social support material from colleagues and superiors.     

Adaption-Innovation and Self-Esteem

Abstract

Psychosocial factors that may influence subjective well-being were examined. A random sample of 581 Chinese adults living in a metropolitan Taiwanese city completed questionnaires concerning demographic variables, personality traits, life stress, and social support. The results of multivariate analyses indicated that (a) extraversion and social support were related to better mental health, whereas neuroticism and stress were related to poorer mental health; (b) older age, better education, and social support were related to higher life satisfaction, whereas neuroticism and stress were related to lower life satisfaction; and (c) older age, extraversion, and social support were related to higher happiness, whereas neuroticism was related to lower happiness.     

Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Men Who Sustain Intimate Partner Violence

Extensive work has documented an association between sustaining intimate partner violence (IPV) and alcohol/drug abuse among women, yet little research has documented the same association in men, even though men comprise 25–50% of all IPV victims in a given year. This study investigates the associations among sustaining IPV and alcohol/drug abuse among both a clinical and community sample of men. The clinical sample is comprised of 302 men who sustained intimate terrorism—a form of IPV that is characterized by much violence and controlling behavior—from their female partners and sought help. The community sample is composed of 520 men, 16% of whom sustained common couple violence, a lower level of more minor reciprocal IPV. Analyses showed that among both groups of men who sustained IPV, the prevalence and frequency of alcohol/drug abuse was significantly higher than in men who did not sustain IPV. However, a dose–response relationship between sustaining IPV and alcohol/drug abuse was found only among men in the community sample. Path modeling showed that, for the community sample, the best fitting models were ones that showed that the alcohol/drug abuse predicted IPV victimization, an association that was fully mediated by their use of IPV. Aggr. Behav. 38:31‐46, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

‘Coming out’ in therapy? Perceived risks and benefits of self‐disclosure of sexual orientation by gay and lesbian therapists to straight clients

Primary objective: The study's primary objective was to investigate the experiences of gay and lesbian therapists, when considering self‐disclosure of their sexual orientation to straight (i.e. heterosexual) clients. This qualitative study set out to ascertain the key factors gay therapists take into account when considering this decision and to explore the effects this self‐disclosure may have on themselves, their clients and their therapeutic relationships. Research design: The research design was based on the use of semi‐structured interviews, undertaken with a non‐random, purposive sample of counsellors and psychotherapists (n=8) in current practice. The rationale for this method was to aid exploration of therapists' experiences of the process of self‐disclosure. Methods and procedures: Inclusion criteria were for therapists who self‐identified as being gay or lesbian, and who were experienced in clinical work with straight clients. Transcribed data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Main outcomes and results: Some therapists reported being confident with self‐disclosure relating to their own sexual orientation. However, a common theme related to the reportedly high levels of anxiety and vulnerability, which therapists identified. Key themes emerged around: respondents' fears of client judgement; a need for therapist self‐protection; self‐awareness of the potential impact of their own fears and prejudices on the therapeutic relationship; and the potential relevance of internalised homophobia, as an overall constraining factor. Conclusions: Self‐disclosure of their sexual orientation to straight clients is constructed, in this initial survey, as being potentially problematic and risky for some gay therapists.     

The Effect of Forgiveness on Marital Satisfaction in Relation to Marital Stability

The present study examined the association between forgiveness and marital satisfaction in relation to marital stability. It was a comparative study between first-married and remarried adults involving 787 respondents from the Flanders region in Belgium. The current study showed that, although in the overall forgiveness, there was no significant difference between the first-married and remarried, the first-married significantly differed in two subscales of Enright Forgiveness Inventory (EFI) from the remarried. A significant difference in the marital satisfaction was found between the first-married and remarried adults. The present study also reported a significant positive correlation between forgiveness and general-life adjustment.This study was carried out at the Institute for the Family and Sexuality Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, as part of docotral research.     

Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents

ABSTRACT— Does parental sexual orientation affect child development, and if so, how? Studies using convenience samples, studies using samples drawn from known populations, and studies based on samples that are representative of larger populations all converge on similar conclusions. More than two decades of research has failed to reveal important differences in the adjustment or development of children or adolescents reared by same-sex couples compared to those reared by other-sex couples. Results of the research suggest that qualities of family relationships are more tightly linked with child outcomes than is parental sexual orientation.