Through the eyes of Blackfellas
Lyndon Reilly
2022
"Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be, and he will become as he can and should be" (Covey, 1998, p 62) The study 'Through the Eyes of Blackfellas' identified, examined and documented Queensland Aboriginal and Tones Strait Islander men's groups and their respective attempts to improve individual, family and community well-being. The study had a particular focus on how men's groups worked towards reducing family violence. The study explored
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... e activities by groups to restore resilience and to reduce family violence. Men's groups activities that were not directly focused on reducing family violence, such as health and education, also arose as significant in the course of the study. I took the view that all group activities have interrelated benefits, and therefore they have the potential to reduce violence in communities through the benefits of group participation for individual men, and by strengthening, empowering and building skills in communities as a result of community based initiatives. The research found that men's groups target one or two social problems to focus on depending on the particular social and economic context, history and existing identified areas for change. Nevertheless, the general prevalence of family violence in communities ensured that it consistently emerged as an issue in most activities or considerations of men involved in groups. It must be made clear that although all men must take responsibility for their violence against women, this thesis is not intended to, and will not, identify or demonise Aboriginal and Tones Strait Islander male wrongdoers of violence or any other crime. The research incorporated a qualitative methodology and a critical theoretical framework. An action research framework encouraged participant observation and provided me with an opportunity to work collaboratively and reflectively with men's groups. As a researcher I was engaged in activities that included brainstorming community issues such as family vio [...]
doi:10.25946/20346783.v1
fatcat:qnstxdtn6vbydb3x42mbgffgue