Social Work Practice With Men at riSk Social Work Practice with Men at Risk Rich Furman columbia university press new York Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893 New York Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © 2010 Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Furman, Rich. Social work practice with men at risk / Rich Furman. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-231-14380-6 (cloth : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-231-14381-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-231-51298-5 (ebook) 1. Social work with men. 2. Men—Services for. 3. Men—Social conditions. I. Title. HV1441.4.F87 2010 362.8—dc22 2009048026 Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper. This book is printed on paper with recycled content. Printed in the United States of America c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 References to Internet Web sites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing. Neither the author nor Columbia University Press is responsible for URLs that may have expired or changed siince the manuscript was prepared. To my friends— the oars that steady the boat of self in an often stormy sea— and my boys, Slick and Brownie, for the warmth and comfort that made this easier. Contents Acknowledgments ix 1 Introduction 1 Part I: Understanding the Worlds of Men 2 Men’s Psychosocial Health in a Global Era 29 3 Conceptions of Masculinity and the Development of Men 49 4 The Relationships of Men 73 5 Theoretical and Practice Guidelines 91 Part II: Men at risk: Problems and Solutions 6 Men and Violence 127 7 Workers at Risk 149 8 Warriors at Risk 165 9 The Physical Health of Men 179 10 Men and Mental Illness 199 11 Older Men at Risk 220 12 Diverse Men at Risk 240 13 Men, Compulsive Disorders, and Addictions 257 viii | contentS 14 Conclusion: What Is Right About Men? 277 Appendix: Resources 295 References 309 Index 347 Acknowledgments The things that we’re afraid of are gonna show us what we’re made of in the end. —Blessed Union of Souls, Hey Leonardo Aquí, no se rinde nadie. —Augusto César Sandino Throughout the years, many men have generously mentored me on what it means to be a social worker, a professor, and, most important, a man. I am grateful to them for their love, support, and kindness, and for caring enough to sometimes kick me in the rear. I have needed it all. Some of these wonder- ful men include Jerry Finn, Gary Delurey, Mark Whiteman, Kip Wyle, Aram Terzian, David Ishisaki, Tony Bruno, Bob Jackson, and Roger Roffman. Also many thanks to the friends with whom I have discussed some of the core con- cepts developed in this text, most notably Mark Sokol and Ben Gedalecia. I am especially grateful to Lauren Dockett, social work editor at Columbia University Press. She understood my vision for this project from the begin- ning and pushed me throughout to make this the best book it could be. And, as always, my thanks go to my biggest cheerleader, my wonderful wife, Jill. You are, and will always be, my heart.