Traditional Men's Behaviour Change Programs: A Critical Examination

In examining traditional family violence men's behaviour change programs, it becomes evident that their reliance on cognitive strategies often overlooks the profound influence of emotions in shaping abusive behaviours. These programs emphasise rational thinking to address violence, yet fail to fully account for the complex interplay of affective responses.

This critical examination underscores the need for a more holistic approach—one that integrates emotional awareness, empathy, and relational dynamics into intervention strategies. By navigating power dynamics, challenging hegemonic masculinity, and promoting respectful communication, men can embark on a transformative journey towards fostering abuse-free relationships and contributing to broader societal change.

The Limitations of Cognitive Strategies

Men's Behaviour Change Programs have traditionally relied on cognitive strategies to challenge and alter patterns of thinking that justify or minimise abusive practices. These programs are predominantly psycho-educational, focusing on rational, cognitive strategies to understand and prevent violence and abusive behaviour. The premise is that developing rational challenges to abusive patterns of thinking and sharing these challenges in a supportive yet confrontational group setting is key to stopping abusive behaviour.

However, violence (and love) are constituted by experiences and behaviours that are primarily driven by emotions, which tend to resist rational intervention, especially in threatening or challenging circumstances. When faced with high levels of emotional arousal and intensity, rational consideration often becomes inhibited.

A significant problem with traditional Men's Behaviour Change Program strategies is their reliance on conscious rational deliberation to inhibit or interrupt emotional responses related to anger. These strategies can inadvertently replicate unhelpful patterns of avoidance and suppression, which separate men from their emotional experiences. Rational thinking and evaluation require a relatively stable state of emotional arousal to be effective.

The role of affect in violence

Men who abuse often use avoidance strategies to manage high levels of emotional intensity, attempting to bypass or suppress feelings associated with threat, loss, anger, and shame. These strategies include not thinking about the issue, using drugs or alcohol, and relying on sheer willpower to control their behaviour. However, these avoidance strategies often escalate emotions, reducing their capacity to manage abusive behaviour.

A healthy capacity for affect regulation, the ability to manage one's emotional responses, only develops through repeated experiences of emotional connection and affect regulation with others. This capacity is never developed in isolation but through interactions with others, requiring one to face and step into emotional experiences rather than avoid them.

Emotional and relational attunement

Instead of relying solely on rational thinking, programs should promote emotional awareness by encouraging clients to recognise and understand their own emotional responses and how these emotions influence their behavior. They should also foster empathy, helping clients develop the ability to empathise with others, especially those they have harmed, to build a deeper understanding of the impact of their actions. Encouraging relational connection is crucial, focusing on improving clients' relational skills and the emotional dynamics in their interactions. Finally, supporting affect regulation by providing tools to manage emotional states can foster a sense of mutual support and understanding in relationships.

The 'Parallel Journey' in intervention

Practitioners need to engage in a parallel journey, where they recognise and navigate their own emotional and relational responses, in parallel to the journey of the perpetrator. This self-awareness allows them to better understand the power dynamics and politics at play in their interactions with clients. By avoiding coercive responses and fostering a collaborative environment, practitioners can promote ethical engagement and transformative change. This approach ensures that interventions are not only effective but also deeply respectful and attuned to the complexities of human behaviour and relationships. While the perpetrator is on his own journey of respectful relationships, the worker acknowledges they too are on such a journey.

Power and politics in relationships

Developing change in men who abuse their partners also involves understanding power dynamics and relationship politics. They must acknowledge how they use power to control and dominate, reflect on societal influences on masculinity, and hold themselves accountable. Engaging in open dialogue with their partner, seeking support in programs focused on social context, and developing empathy and emotional literacy are crucial. Continuous self-reflection and behaviour alignment with values of respect and equality are key for fostering abuse-free, respectful relationships and contributing to broader social change.

Demystifying hegemonic masculinity

Challenging hegemonic masculinity involves deeply engaging with cultural influences that prioritise power, control, and dominance, especially over women. Men must critically examine how these norms shape their beliefs, often reinforcing entitlement and aggression. This concept impacts relationships and societal dynamics profoundly, urging men to question traditional gender roles promoting stoicism, toughness, and emotional detachment. By unpacking these norms, men can understand how they assert power in relationships. Embracing empathy, emotional openness, and respectful communication enables men to redefine identities beyond stereotypes, fostering healthier, egalitarian relationships. This critical reflection empowers men in their journey towards personal growth and contributes to broader societal transformation towards gender equity and violence prevention.

Summary

This discussion has critically examined traditional Men's Behaviour Change Programs, highlighting their reliance on cognitive strategies to address abusive behavior through rational thinking, which may overlook the influence of emotions. It emphasizes the role of affect in violence and the necessity for programs to promote emotional awareness, empathy, relational connection, and affect regulation. Practitioners also engage in a parallel journey of self-awareness to navigate power dynamics and avoid coercive responses, fostering ethical engagement. This discussion further advocates for understanding hegemonic masculinity's influence, urging men to challenge societal norms that perpetuate dominance and aggression. By embracing empathy and respectful communication, men can redefine masculinity, fostering abuse-free relationships and contributing to broader social change towards gender equity and violence prevention.

Ryan Greenwell

Traditional Men's Behaviour Change Programs: A Critical Examination