"iDoctor – Medical Blog"

Abstract  This paper introduces the special section by presenting a historical and conceptual review of theory and research on the psychology
of men and masculinity and then introducing the section’s papers. Men have power because of their gender, but differ in access
to power based on other individual characteristics such as social class, income, education, ethnicity, sexual orientation,
or physical strength. Men typically have been studied as generic rather than gendered beings in psychology. In contrast, a
gendered analysis of men highlights the ways in which men’s experience, masculinity, and behavior contribute to health and
social problems and to resources commonly addressed by community psychologists. Our gendered analysis suggests ways of working
with men in group, organizational, and community settings to create positive individual and social change. Crucial to this
analysis is the paradox that enacting masculinity both privileges and damages men. A second paradox stems from men having
power as a group over women while individual men feel powerless or victimized by women as a group. The papers in this volume
illustrate key themes of our historical and conceptual review through studies of adolescent and adult men as fathers, patients,
partner abusers, support group participants and community members, and through examination of the impact of their gendered
identities and behavior on health, well being, and justice.