Male Mentoring In Psychology

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Pages: 2

My personal view of graduate studies and counselling psychology is that men are greatly underrepresented and are much needed within this field. The number of men involved in the field of psychology has been consistently dwindling (Howard et al., 1986). One reason for this is changing public opinion about psychology had reduced the field’s prestige. This caused salaries to stagnate and men went into other higher paying fields (Willyard, 2011). With the decrease of male counsellors available, one very real result is that potential male clients may feel alienated by this shortage and may not seek help (Latham, 2011). I feel an increased male presence within the field would also increase treatment diversity. This diversity in available counsellors would encourage men, in need of help, to reach out (Willyard, 2011). My purpose in writing this paper is to examine the benefit of the male contribution to the field of psychology, specifically mentoring, and to offer possible incentives for male recruitment. …show more content…
This in no way undermines my premise that men in the mental health field make significant contributions and fulfill a needed role. One of these roles is that of being a mentor.
Mentoring is a crucial activity for men. Marsiglio (2011) stated “the mentoring relationship is a special and potentially powerful bond” (p. 201). Not only can men act as mentors to youth, they can also help train other men how to be positive forces of change. Seeing another caring, nurturing male being a part of their lives can teach males how to be nurturing and caring