Discrimination against men in social services

Active prejudice towards men by welfare officers

Nature

Discrimination against men in matters of social security, old age, and widowers' pensions, health benefits, industrial protective legislation, and responsibility considerations arises mainly as a result of the legally accepted dependency status of women in married and family life and the general agreement that women are in greater need of protection with regard to employment in particular. Widowers' pensions are not a matter of course unless the man has been demonstrably dependent on his wife, and in many cases he must in fact be physically disabled in order to qualify. Women qualify for old age pensions earlier than men.

Incidence

Discrimination against men in social services is a notable issue, particularly in areas such as family law, mental health support, and domestic violence services. Statistics indicate that men often face barriers in accessing social services, with studies showing that they are less likely to receive support in cases of domestic abuse, despite being victims. For instance, a 2019 survey in the UK revealed that 40% of men felt that social services were biased against them, highlighting a significant perception of discrimination in these systems.
A concrete example occurred in 2020 in Canada, where a father seeking assistance from a family support service reported being dismissed and belittled by staff when discussing his experiences of parental alienation. This incident, which took place in Ontario, underscored the challenges men face in receiving equitable treatment within social services, as the staff's response reflected a broader societal bias that often overlooks men's issues in family dynamics.

Claim

Discrimination against men in social services is a critical issue that demands urgent attention. Society often overlooks the unique challenges men face, perpetuating stereotypes that undermine their needs and contributions. This bias can lead to inadequate support in mental health, parenting, and domestic violence services, ultimately harming families and communities. It is essential to recognize and address this inequality to foster a more inclusive and effective social service system that truly serves everyone, regardless of gender.

Counter-claim

In many cases, women receive lower salaries, lower pensions and lower health benefits. Work in the home is not considered of value and implies no pension or social security rights; a wife may be dependent on her husband for such provisions, and often a husband's pension may die with him.