Studies find young men caught between equality and traditional roles

Studies in Austria and Switzerland show that traditional ideas about masculinity are being challenged by more equal and caring roles, while some young men are also embracing opposing views, ORF reported. Experts say these tensions can place young men under pressure and may influence attitudes towards violence.

Elli Scambor, a gender researcher and deputy chair of the Austrian umbrella association for men’s work, said men still faced traditional expectations to act as providers, authority figures and dominant actors. At the same time, active fatherhood, caring responsibilities, emotional openness and equality in relationships were becoming more important.

Men who take part in childcare, housework and emotional work in relationships more often report satisfaction with their partnerships, egalitarian gender attitudes and strong family relationships, Scambor said. She described a caring approach to masculinity as an important protective factor against violence in families and relationships.

An Austrian study found that more men were spending time caring for children, doing housework and cooking. But a recent Swiss study showed a strong counter-trend among 18 to 24-year-olds: half of those surveyed said that real men were being pushed to the margins of society, while more than 47 percent said violence was sometimes necessary.

Christian Scambor of the men’s counselling service said violence by men had not necessarily increased over the decades. Instead, he said, more intervention services meant the situation was better addressed than it had been several decades ago.

Equal partnerships and support services can help prevent violence against women, experts said. Manfred Kummer, head of the Styrian men’s counselling service, said it had around 10,000 contacts with 2,000 men each year. Relationship crises, separations and divorces were becoming increasingly common reasons for seeking help, he said, with the consequences of divorce also a major source of difficulties.

The environment remains complex, Scambor said. As men move towards more caring roles, counter-movements may emerge with the message that men should reclaim power. A new youth study is also planned in Graz to examine developments on social media.