Principles
Creating a Participatory Space
Various cross-cutting concerns challenge the members of the PERSBEH, in particular that the actors involved make a concrete contribution to the establishment and operation of the knowledge transfer structure and activities. The governance of the PERSBEH assumes participatory leadership and members are invited to submit their ideas and opinions and to contribute to the development of the Pole. Support to the progress made in the work with women and complementarity with the work on gender and in SBEF.
Support to the progress made in the work with women and complementarity with the work on gender and in SBEF.
The PERSBEH sees the work to be carried out in men's health and well-being as complementary to that carried out in women's health and well-being. Given the variability of ideologies and the analytical perspectives, which is well demonstrated in the field of men's and masculinities studies (Clatterbaugh, 1997; Genest-Dufault & Tremblay, 2010), and the ideological debates taking place in this field of study, the Pole positions itself in a progressive and positive perspective, as opposed to the anti-masculinist and anti-feminist perspectives (Tremblay, 2012).
Findings Supported by Evidence
The PERSBEH’s work is based on research evidence and not just on theoretical discourses.
Criticism about Negative Aspects of the Traditional Model of Masculinity
Several studies point out the need to review some masculinity standards that have negative effects on men's health and well-being, such as always trying to fend for oneself when an outside help is required.
Adopting, inter alia, a force-centered approach.
All too often, the focus is only on men's deficits, their problems. It is important to build on the strengths of men who can be important levers in intervention and health promotion. It is then a matter of developing environments that support men's health and well-being, taking into account the social determinants of health, i.e., the conditions that promote the health and well-being of populations. This approach has proven to be much more effective in interventions with men.
Adoption of an Intersectional and Dynamic Approach
Particularly in connection with studies on cultural diversity, sexual diversity and First Nations studies, the PERSBEH is interested in the multiple contexts in which men evolve, whether related to the socio-economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, or related to the other sub-groups of men. Moreover, men's health and well-being and the male gender should be analyzed from a dynamic, shifting perspective, taking into account generational and temporal differences over time, according to eras and cultural changes.
Support and Development of Young Scientists
The PERSBEH places emphasis on involving new researchers in the field, especially junior researchers, and to training the emerging generation of students.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of different theoretical and methodological approaches seem unavoidable. The PERSBEH believes that cross-disciplinary perspectives allow a better understanding of the problems complexity.
Research Partnership
Participatory research with the communities of practice, and including the actors directly concerned, in its various forms, constitutes an important anchor for the PERSBEH, whether through action research or any other form that allows the direct involvement of partners from the communities of practice in the definition of the object of research as well as in the choice of methodology, recruitment, analysis and dissemination of the resulting knowledge, in a perspective of mutual inter-influence and co-construction of knowledge.
Dissemination of Knowledge, Particularly in Practice Settings
The active involvement of partners in practice settings greatly enhances the relevance of the studies and the tangible benefits of the results for practice. This type of research allows researchers to remain close to the concerns of the practice, while the partners quickly benefit from the knowledge development. Of course, this does not prevent us from recognizing the importance of basic research studies that contribute, among other things, to the theoretical development of knowledge on male realities. Knowledge becomes meaningful when it supports the improvement of practices.