It’s time for men to change

This chapter is about the possibilities and prospects for changing men. First, I look at why we are discussing this question in the first place, and trace the main influences that have brought about this concern. Then I outline what the problem is and some of the major arenas in which men need to change. These include: the family and thecare of other people; sexuality; violence and non-violence; and work, organizations and management. Men are likely to face dilemmas, contradictions and ambivalences in facingthis challenge, and it is important to acknowledge rather than obscure these. Finally, I relate these issues to men in and around social care, social work and probation-as managers, workers and service users. In each case, there areboth general, personal and political principles to be identified in moving men away from power, and local agendas and priorities to be established within particular agency and policy contexts.