Focusing on Men and Fathers: A Challenge for Social Work Research and Practice

In introducing this special issue of Social Work Research, we feel it is important to discuss why social work practice and research with men and fathers is of critical importance and deserving of specific attention. Social work researchers and practitioners need to focus on men and fathers, both as a special population and as subpopulations of other groups. A focus on men and fathers is critical because (a) it is a social justice issue for men, women, and children; (b) men are underserved by helping professionals, including social workers, particularly in certain contexts and programs; (c) social workers are uniquely positioned to tackle the most pressing problems men face; and (d) social work values suggest that addressing men's issues is necessary to our identity as social workers. Compared with women and children, men occupy a privileged position within society. Yet, marginalization and oppression are shouldered by many men, including, but not limited to, men of color, the incarcerated, and men who are sexual minorities. Furthermore, the intersections between these identities, experiences, and male gender have unique implications for social work practice. More broadly, numerous challenges affect the worth, well-being, and dignity of many men. Examples of the issues include high rates of suicide; early mortality and morbidity; and significant mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (Furman, 2013). The articles in this special issue highlight some of these particular risks and challenges.