Men’s Studies Association: 19th Annual Meeting
July 6, 2007 – University of Indiana/Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN
Invitational Intervention: the ARISE Model. A NIDA Study in Engaging Resistant Substance Abusers in Treatment–Implications of Specific Gender-Related Results
Judith Landau, MD, DPM, LMFT, CFLE, President, Linking Human Systems, LLC, and LINC Foundation, Inc.
ABSTRACT – The goal of the study was to determine “real world” effectiveness of a timely-response method for helping “Concerned Others” get resistant Substance Abusers into treatment/self-help with minimal professional time and effort. A manual-driven protocol, “A Relational Intervention Sequence for Engagement (ARISE)”, was applied with 110 consecutive, initial calls/contacts from Concerned Others. The setting was two upstate New York outpatient drug/alcohol clinics and participants were Concerned Others who called regarding a cocaine, alcohol, or “other drug” abuser. Eleven ARISE Interventionists were trained. Controls were included for type of addiction, severity, age and gender. Interventionist variables included experience, degree, age, and gender.
ARISE is a graduated continuum starting with the least demanding level, increasing effort only as needed to engage substance abusers in treatment/self-help. Level I: The First Call includes coaching the Concerned Other to mobilize the support system to motivate the addicted indivdual into treatment. It includes the phone call and frequently the First Meeting. Level II, implemtned only if treatment entry is not achieved in Level I, includes 3-5 meetings (median = 2). Level III: The Formal ARISE Intervention is essentially a modified Johnson “Intervention.” ARISE resulted in an 83% success rate (55% at Stage I). Median days to engagement was 7 (IQR = 2-14). Average total time (telephone, sessions) per case was 1.5 hours. Treatment/self-help chosen: 95% treatment, 5% self-help. Number of family/friends involved correlated .69 with a success/efficiency index.
An overwhelming preponderance of the First Callers was women. The implication is that men do not call about their concerns about women close to them, or alternatively they are less likely to notice the symptoms and changes of addiction in the women they love. At the same time, women are far more at risk of being severely ill by the time they reach treatment and a far greater percentage of women die of addiction and its consequences. These findings raise questions about the socialization of men regarding the women in their families and close relationships and whether this can be changed through greater outreach and education of men through the ARISE Intervention.
Teaching a College-Level Course on Gender Issues
Robert Brannon, Ph.D., Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY. David Greene, Ph.D., Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ
ABSTRACT – As two “seasoned” women’s/gender/men’s studies professors, we present representative syllabi, readings, exercises and handouts from our courses. We specifically discuss issues involved in planning these courses and the pedagogy necessary to deliver them. We invite constant interaction with our audience—esp. others who teach (or plan to teach) similar offerings.
Men and Masculinities in Gender and Development Programs: A New Way Forward?
Paul Perret, MES, Lecturer, California State University, Long Beach, CA
ABSTRACT – The theoretical work on masculinities has contributed greatly to the re-conceptualization of gender, and specifically the role of men and masculinities within the policies and programs of international development organizations. This research paper will present a synopsis of interviews conducted with international development practitioners located in both northern and southern development organizations operating at local, national, and international levels. It demonstrates how men are being reframed as gendered beings; how research on masculinities and men in development is being reflected within the discourse and practices of gender and development programs; and how this emerging discourse is impacting on priorities and practices within development organizations. Nine international development professionals were interviewed for their perspectives on, and experience of working with, men within gender programs. This paper identifies critical issues and challenges within these programs such as the need for scaling up; developing effective evaluation processes; and maintaining funding levels. Masculinities are being integrated into gender and development programs, which are challenging traditional male norms and offering more gender equitable alternatives. The impact and scope of these programs is increasing and is an encouraging advancement by men towards greater gender equality.
Are Mythopoetic Men’s Support Groups Repackaged Patriarcy?
Edward Read Barton, J.D., Ph.D., Michigan State University Libraries, E. Lansing, MI
ABSTRACT – Patriarchy encourages hypermasculinity in men. Aspects of key note presentations at previous M&Ms are incorporated and discussed. The theoretical concept of social support is discussed. The research on men’s participation in mythopoetic men’s groups is reviewed and contrasted with data from with men’s ritual groups, men’s domestic violence groups, and fathers’ rights groups. Then these are discussed in light of current research.
In that research, virtually all of these men continued to say that their lives had been positively impacted through their mythopoetic activities and mythopoetic men’s support group participation. Virtually all, if not all, of the men reported substantial movement away from the traditionally defined patriarchal hypermasculinity. In virtually all instances, these men are working and continue to work on their emotional healing process. They do not project that they have all the answers. These men are not in total control of their relationships and they recognize it. Men’s participation in these mythopoetic groups and activities clearly are not anti-women, not anti-feminist, nor a repackaging of dominant, controlling patriarchy.
