Methodological Framework Report

The work of Sub-network 2 builds on the work of the European Thematic Network on
Research on Men in Europe, “The Social Problem and Societal Problematisation of
Men and Masculinities”, that operated 2000-2003, within the EU Framework 5
Programme. The overall aim of the Thematic Network was to develop empirical,
theoretical and policy outcomes on the gendering of men and masculinities in Europe.
It comprised women and men researchers researching on men and masculinities in an
explicitly gendered way. The central focus of the Research Network’s effort was, as
its name implies, the investigation of the social problem and societal problematisation
of men and masculinities. The reference to ‘social problem’ refers to both the
problems created by men, and the problems experienced by men. The notion of
societal problematisation refers to the various ways in which the ‘topic’ of men and
masculinities has become and is becoming noticed and problematised in society – in
the media, in politics, in policy debates, and so on. This focus is set within a general
problematic: that changing and improving gender relations and reducing gender
inequality involves changing men as well as changing the position of women1.