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'He'll not talk to anyone': researching men on low incomes
Catherine Mackereth1, Susan J Milner
1NHS South of Tyne and Wear.
Summary
Researching men on low incomes presents challenges, particularly accessing them in private spaces. A community development approach can improve engagement, though home-based discussions may still be difficult for female researchers.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Qualitative Research Methods
Background:
- Most social research on men focuses on higher socioeconomic groups, often those employed.
- Accessing unemployed men from lower socioeconomic backgrounds for research is particularly challenging.
- Traditional research methods struggle with the privacy of the home, often seen as a female domain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the specific difficulties in conducting research with men living on low incomes.
- To demonstrate challenges in accessing this demographic using a case study.
- To identify potential strategies for overcoming research access barriers.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of existing literature on research with men.
- Analysis of a specific research project as a case example.
- Discussion of the role of women as gatekeepers in accessing men in low-income households.
Main Results:
- Contacting men in low-income households is more difficult than in higher socioeconomic groups.
- Women often act as gatekeepers, controlling access to men within the home.
- A community development approach can facilitate researcher access and build trust.
- Even with community trust, female researchers may face difficulties engaging men in private home settings.
Conclusions:
- Conducting social research with low-income men requires specific strategies to overcome access barriers.
- Community development approaches are valuable for building rapport and facilitating entry.
- Researchers must be aware of and prepared for potential challenges, including gender dynamics within households.
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