Our intervention philosophy
Our intervention philosophy is based on ethical values founded on equality and accountability.
- Equality promotes relationships that put individuals—caseworkers, staff and participants—on as equal a footing as possible and that are characterized by a sharing of any pertinent information or knowledge.
- Accountability means that each individual assumes the consequences of his/her behaviour and has the personal skills required to process the information received and make choices.
Interventions are inspired by humanistic ethical values that enhance the emergence of one’s own human identity through respect for oneself and others, authenticity, the affirmation of one’s own identity and improved self-esteem.
- Group meetings break down male social isolation and propose the learning of new behaviours and attitudes through the re-evaluation of male roles and the changing of attitudes towards control and conflict. These meetings aim at developing collaborative relationships and strengthening the pride centred on taking responsibility for personal commitment and social change.
Interventions question the social and cultural values underlying the male socialization that imposes a stereotyped identity standardizing behaviours, feelings of unease and constraints. Moreover, such learned attitudes support and continue this kind of socialization.
Interventions must respect the following social values and standards:
- Establish relationships that stress partnership and the exchange of information, as well as work in complement with other resources.
- Have respect for a feminist vision of violence and male-female relationships, while avoiding the suggestion of a specific male role.
- Have a prevention perspective beyond individualized interventions.
- Have a wider vision of social and cultural change; they must aim at reducing power relationships.
(This intervention philosophy was adopted in February 1996.)