Addressing Challenges Faced by Men and Boys - Insights from APPG Report

APPG: Issue Affecting Men and Boys Mark Brooks OBE Policy Advisor This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the group

APPGs All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal cross-party groups that have no official status within Parliament. They are run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords, though many choose to involve individuals and organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities. The must include at least one member of the Conservatives and one from Labour There are about 105 country groups and 600+ subject groups Many meeting infrequently, others host speakers/experts other produce policies/reports some do all three View: https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/apg/

APPG: Issue Affecting Men and Boys Registered: March 2022 Secretariat: Equi-Law (Mike Bell) Policy Advisor: Mark Brooks Website: https://equi-law.uk/appg-menboys/ Twitter: @APPGMenandBoys Remit: To raise awareness of disadvantages and poor outcomes faced by men and boys in education, mental and physical health and law; to influence attitudes, role models, policy and legislation that will lead to positive differences to their well-being and lives.

Members Chair: Nick Fletcher MP Vice-chairs: Lord Fred Ponsonby; Baroness Margaret Eaton; Ben Bradley MP; Mark Jenkinson MP.

Inquiry 1: A Boy Today Between April and July 2021, seven experts gave a snapshot of the disadvantages and challenges that so many boys face and their individual ideas they have to solve them. 1) Family Life/Fatherlessness: Sonia Shaljean, Chief Executive, Lads Need Dads 2) Education: Professor Gijsbert Stoet, Professor of Psychology at the University of Essex and Dr Erik Cownie, School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University 3) Community/Social influences: Professor Naomi Murphy, The Fens Unit, HMP Whitemoor and Martin Seager, consultant clinical psychologist 4) Health: Martin Tod, Chief Executive, Men s Health Forum and Natasha Devon MBE, founder of the Mental Health Media Charter T Theme 1: The mainstream narrative on men and boys leads to a lack of action on the disadvantages and issues negatively affecting them even when the figures are in plain sight. Theme 2: The psychological, behavioural and developmental differences between boys and girls need to be better understood, alongside not making assumptions about men and boys help-seeking. Theme 3: There is little acknowledgement of the long-lasting impact of early trauma on boys and men and also the need for positive role models.

Inquiry 1: A Boy Today Following the evidence sessions, the view of the members of the APPG are that there is clearly a need for the government, policymakers, statutory agencies and sectors (particularly education and health) to take concerted and coordinated action in focussing on: Addressing areas of disadvantage facing boys in Britain today, especially given that the data and issues are clearly available and visible; Improving the understanding of male psychology and biology, and, translating this into policies, programmes and funding streams that address the challenges; Ensuring that public services and communications are as boy/male friendly as possible, and, Being proactive in addressing societal and cultural myths around male behaviour, help-seeking and motivations.

Inquiry 1: Outcome Established credibility Increased awareness of men and boys issues Minister of Equalities A Boy Today, which is essential reading on the barriers that many boys and men face in today s society. I thank him and all the members of the APPG for their work, and all those who contributed to that valuable report.

Inquiry 2: Mens Health Strategy Remit: To hear evidence from a range of UK and international men s health experts on the case for the UK Government to create a Men s Health Strategy for England. International / National Experts Martin Tod (Chief Executive, Men s Health Forum) Professor Alan White (Emeritus Professor of Men's Health at Leeds Beckett University) Peter Baker (Director, Global Action on Men s Health and Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health) Dr John Barry (co-founder of the Male Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society, co-author of Perspectives in Male Psychology.) Dr Rebecca Owens (Senior lecturer in Psychology at the University of Sunderland) Dr Noel Richardson (Director, National Centre for Men s Health, Institute of Technology, Carlow, Ireland.) Glen Poole (Chief Executive of the Australian Men s Forum) Oliver Vikse (Andy s Man Club)

Inquiry 2: Mens Health Strategy Report: The Case for a Men s Health Strategy: For a Healthier, Happier and a More Productive Society for All Conclusions A holistic, evidence-based, positive and gender-informed approach to men s health is far more effective than the Government s current disease/condition approach on men s health. A positive What Works approach Built around the needs of men and boys, rather than men and boys having to accept what they are given. Focus on prevention, tackling societal stereotypes/barriers and creating a more responsive and integrated health system. Benefit women and girls who they share their lives and society with Reduce demand/costs on the health system Improve economic productivity

Inquiry 2: Mens Health Strategy Impact Meeting with Secretary of State House of Commons Debate Articles in The Times, Politics Home, Health Service Journal

Get Involved Opportunities to make your voice heard APPG: Full list Government Consultations: UK Government consultations, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Plus regional government. Select Committees: https://committees.parliament.uk/inquiries/ Government Stakeholder Bulletins: Government Equalities Office and Equalities and Human Rights Commission Offer expertise to Civil Servants: Research, academics, visits to operations offices, research with clients Public appointments: Current vacancies can be found here.