新作坊 Humanity Innovation and Social Practice

Masculinity, Social Support, and Sense of Community: The Men's Group Experience in Western Australia

摘要：

Integration and fulfillment of needs relates to reinforcement and rewards for members and is central to sense of community. Needs are determined by values and goals, and if shared by members, need-fulfillment is facilitated. In turn, people are able to meet their own and other people's needs (McMillan & Chavis, 1986). Data analysis reflected several important needs being met through membership in these groups. Common to most transcripts were shared goals, such as "personal growth," "lifestyle change," and "the fellowship of other men." Joining a men's group gave members "new life skills" and "structure." Other respondents reported the benefits of learning new ways of behaving toward other men -- for example, "...to learn to relate to men and to learn to see men as friends...who can actually nurture me rather than being competitors...." Most participants reported a "crisis" or "turning point' in their life that triggered a need to seek some form of emotional support. This was reflected in comments such as: "I was in a state of pretty deep despair." Another respondent said: "I found that first group quite an anchor within my life, a life buoy at that time." A common theme was relationship breakdown, where a lack of emotional support was felt. This created a need to restructure their lives: "It has given structure to the week, and if I didn't go I would feel a bit lost, I think," and "....it's community, it's family." Another rewarding experience was learning the value of "talking," expressing emotions, and sharing problems through personal storytelling. One respondent described this by "...and I didn't talk about that to anyone before that, and it was like a pressure valve -- a real release." Although self-disclosure and "emotional release" held personal risk, this need was reflected in many transcripts. For example, "So, I need to talk...," and from another "...and the words...if someone just listens to me get it out...." Many participants acknowledged the personal growth and improved lifestyles they had experienced with comments such as: "...it's been basically a big learning curve..." and "...it has improved my relationship with my family...the awareness has improved." Generally, this growth referred to learning to relate to, and respect, women and other men, express feelings, listen, empathize, and increase self-knowledge.