Masculinity theory in applied research with men and boys with intellectual disability.
Researchers in intellectual disability have had limited theoretical engagement with mainstream theories of masculinity. In this article, the authors consider what mainstream theories of masculinity may offer to applied research on, and hence to therapeutic interventions with, men and boys with intellectual disability. An example from one research project that explored male sexual health illustrates how using masculinity theory provided greater insight into gendered data. Finally, we discuss the following five topics to illustrate how researchers might use theories of masculinity: (a) fathering, (b) male physical expression, (c) sexual expression, (d) men's health, and (e) underweight and obesity. Theories of masculinity offer an additional framework to analyze and conceptualize gendered data; we challenge researchers to engage with this body of work.
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, 75 East Street, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, New South Wales 1825, Australia. nathan.wilson@sydney.edu.au
Nathan John
NJ
Wilson
Russell
R
Shuttleworth
Roger
R
Stancliffe
Trevor
T
Parmenter
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology; D011585:Psychology, Applied / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult