The Middle Men (UK TV Documentary)

The Middle Men

Wednesday 30 May, 10:00pm

The concept of ‘middle age’ is changing as recent generations are living longer and healthier lives. Men in the 21st Century are entering their ‘second adulthoods’ in radically different ways than their fathers. Yet new social changes – feminism, an uncertain economy, and a reported sense of ‘confusion’ among men and their roles in today’s society – mean new challenges.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE - Exclusive to bio

ABS Releases Gender Indicators and Ignores Male Disadvantage

Today the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia's so-called impartial statistical body released its Gender Indicators report: "a summary of gender specific data in six domains representing Economic security, Education, Health, Work and family balance, Safety and justice, and Democracy, governance and citizenship".

The ABS produced a media release about the publication. This release could have noted that:

• Across the board males fare much worse than females in the education system - most notably being 24% less likely to be enrolled in a bachelor degree or above
• Across the board males fare much worse than females in the health arena - most notably suffering death rates from cancer, heart disease, suicide, motor vehicle accidents and drug abuse between 1.6 and 3.4 times higher
• Males are 12% more likely than females to feel their work and family responsibilities are rarely/ never in balance
• Males are almost twice as likely as females to have experienced violence during the last 12 months and one third more likely to be a victim of physical or threatened physical assault.

However, these facts were conveniently ignored in favour of a media release titled "Busy mums want more paid work," citing the rate of underemployment being twice as high for women (8%) than for men (4%). Sadly it seems that the lace curtain extends all the way into our country's top statistical body.

The inaugural MR (mister) Walk on the Gold Coast, QLD

An event that aims to reverse some of the negative stereotypes associated with men, has garnered the support of the Gold Coast Titans, police and business leaders.

The initiative was sparked by Gold Coast Councillor Bob La Castra, following a question that was asked of four men, who were randomly selected from the audience of a seminar titled 'From Boys to Men'.

The question asked by the moderator was - 'can you tell me one thing that's good about being a man'?

"Not one of us could think of an answer. It's one of the few times I've been rendered speechless," says Cr La Castra.

According to the seminar's presenter, a respected authority on issues relating to men and boys in society, the lack of a response was 'usual'.

The presenter revealed that he had conducted surveys of primary school-aged girls on their perceptions of men. The responses included such statements as: 'men hurt people'; 'men are dangerous'; 'men kill people'; 'men rob banks'; 'men try to steal little children'.

"The children's responses are disturbing to say the least. When you factor in the everyday image portrayal of men, via the movie industry and the media, it shows that men have a serious, social image problem," says Cr La Castra.

"How often do we hear a news report saying, 'today, a woman was charged with armed robbery, murder, rape, or domestic violence'? These negative perceptions need to be addressed, not only for the good of society - but for the good of men."

As a result, Cr La Castra decided to organise an event - the Men Respect Walk, MR (mister) Walk - and approached managing director of the Gold Coast Titans Michael Searle, who took the concept to the NRL.

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Going part-time: Dads' balancing act

Matthew Thompson dedicates a day a week to spending time with his two-year old daughter, Lydiana. Picture: Gary Graham

Men increasingly are casting off their traditional roles as hunter providers to work part time and take a greater role in caring for their children.

Dads who don't want to miss out on the formative years of their children's lives are turning down full-time work to provide for their families in other ways.

Employment and social leaders are encouraging the trend, believing it will help create gender equality in the workplace as well as at home.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that 1.02 million men are working in part-time jobs this year compared with only 902,000 in 2006.

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Porn is not a dirty word

About 82 per cent of porn users in Australia are male and 55 per cent married, a survey of 1000 users found.

Many men believe pornography is harmless and women should stop banging on about it.

'MY WIFE doesn't show much enthusiasm for sex. She will passively let me do things and this annoys me as it is a real turn on to have women really enthusiastic and getting off on giving you pleasure. So when she's asleep I turn to porn where all these young women appear to be totally enthusiastic about pleasing the man. I know it's all acting and they are only doing it for money and that it's not fair to expect my wife to be like these porn actresses, but in my fantasy world this is what I love and get off on. I'll do it for up to an hour, slowly, going from video to video on my laptop, while my wife is sound asleep. I can take as long as I want and get lost in my own world.''

Late at night in so many suburban homes there are men like this one, hunched over flickering computer screens looking at pornography. Often their partners aren't aware of what they are doing, assuming the poor dears are simply working late or catching up on a missed sports podcast. Most men keep these viewing habits to themselves - secret men's business - fearing discovery would mean a solid stint in the doghouse.

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