The Forgotten Realities of Men: Critical Reflections on Masculinity in Contemporary Society

Offers a rare glimpse into the often-overlooked aspects of men’s lives, set against the backdrop of shifting social norms, economic uncertainty, and the political upheaval of today’s world.

The Forgotten Realities of Men explores the complexities of contemporary masculinity, providing an empathetic look at men’s lives while rejecting the politics of anger and resentment that often pit their challenges against those of women.

Through in-depth research, ethnographic analysis, and interviews with men themselves, the contributors shed light on aspects of men’s lived experiences that tend to be downplayed or overlooked: childhood sexual abuse, family violence, teenage fatherhood, infertility, emotional expression, isolation and depression, cultures of fear in sports, and controversial online communities.

The Forgotten Realities of Men foregrounds the diverse circumstances characterizing men’s lives and illuminates their impact on physical and mental health, family dynamics, professional responsibilities, intimate relationships, and personal identity. By fostering respectful debate, this compassionate collection serves as a call for solutions to many pressing issues facing men today.

Marc Lafrance is associate professor of sociology and anthropology and special advisor to the provost at Concordia University.

Jean-Martin Deslauriers is professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Ottawa.

Gilles Tremblay is a retired professor in the School of Social Work and Criminology at Laval University, where he continues to oversee the Expertise and Research Task Force on Men’s Health and Well-Being.

Pauline Hoebanx is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Concordia University. She is the coordinator of Responsible Gambling in the Digital Era, a project funded by Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Société et Culture.