Navigating gendered terrains: female social workers' perspectives on working with boys and young men who display harmful sexual behaviours

In the United Kingdom, social work is predominantly a female-dominated profession, while individuals who engage in harmful sexual behaviours (HSB) are predominantly boys and young men. This creates a significant role for female social workers in addressing HSB among this demographic. Yet a noticeable gap exists regarding research on the gender dynamics that may be experienced and played out in this context. This doctoral study explores how female social workers understand and navigate gender in relation both to themselves and boys and young men who have sexually harmed. It also investigates the ways in which gender stereotypes, victim-blaming attitudes, and narratives surrounding sexual assault are addressed in this specific context.

Grounded in a critical realist meta-framework that incorporates phenomenology and hermeneutics, the study adopted a three-fold approach. Firstly, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed as methodology and method, entailing interviews with female social workers working with HSB in non-specialist and specialist settings. Secondly, a 14-month hermeneutic ethnography involved observations of an online, mixed-sex peer supervision group, including social workers and other professionals specialising in HSB. Lastly, a knowledge exchange method involved the peer group scrutinising selected data from the interviewed female social workers.

Drawing from developmental, feminist, post-structuralist, and masculinity studies approaches to gender, this study reveals diverse perspectives on gender from participants. Critical realism emerges as a valuable framework for understanding gender in this unique context. Female social workers' understanding of their gender is presented within an intersectional-bioecological model, emphasising multilayered influences such as family, peer, community and societal factors. This model was employed to reflect on neglected considerations concerning gender concepts for boys and young men, including the influence of peers and siblings and ideas of resistance to harmful gender norms.

Findings on how female social workers and peer group supervision members think about gender concerning boys and young men in the context of HSB are presented via the Gender Positionality Model. Positions adopted include “Gender Stereotyped”, “Gender- Blind/Gender-Neutral”, “Gender-Sensitive” and “Gender Reflexivity and Social Action”. The data reveals that female social workers may adopt the first four perspectives rigidly or flexibly. The final position, “Reimagining Gender: Social and Cultural Shifts”, is suggested as an aspirational perspective.

In summary, a “Gender-Blind/Gender-Neutral” position focuses on maintaining boys and young men as children first and foremost; however, it potentially neglects the impact of masculine socialisation and male development. A “Gender-Stereotyped” position may narrow conceptualisations of boys and young men as posing a risk rather than acknowledging their vulnerability. Conversely, a “Gender-Sensitive” position involves acknowledging the necessity for a gendered analysis of harm, with a feminist orientation incorporated, sometimes explicitly or implicitly. It recognises the significant impact of male socialisation and employs skills to engage and challenge harmful gender norms actively. A “Gender Reflexivity and Social Action” position addresses harmful gender norms beyond the social work-client relationship. Finally, the "Reimagining Gender" position is aspirational, aiming to challenge and transform gendered attitudes at broader social and cultural levels.

The findings highlight overlooked aspects of gender in the context of boys and young men displaying HSB, such as the influence of both online and offline environments, male pubertal development, and the effects of homophobic bullying on boys and young men. These aspects are considered fundamental within a gender-sensitive perspective. The study offers practical considerations for the social work sphere, including training and development suggestions for both specialist and non-specialist social workers in the field of HSB. It equips social workers with reflective tools to navigate better gender considerations concerning themselves, boys, and young men.