Many older men, especially those who are socially isolated, face significant challenges – from physical ill-health, to loneliness, to marginalisation and poverty. These struggles can be compounded by the ‘hard shell’ of masculinity, which can leave some older men feeling a loss of a sense of purpose and potency, and prevent them from opening up about their vulnerabilities or the need for connection and support. Yet growing older can also provide opportunities for reflection, taking life in new directions, and leaving behind restrictive gendered expectations. In this episode, we have a moving conversation with Sé Franklin about the work he does with older men in Ireland – as well as the profound impact of doing ‘inner work’ guided by feminist principles.
At the end of the episode, Sé reads out a piece has written reflecting on being an older man. You can listen to this as a standalone clip on YouTube.
