What do we know about men’s practices and attitudes related to gender equality and work? What are men’s experiences of work? What are men and women’s reactions to unemployment? The social relations of work and (un)employment are deeply interconnected with gender relations.

This report shares household survey findings from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) carried out with men and women aged18-59 in predominantly urban contexts across Brazil, Chile, Croatia, India, Mexico and Rwanda.

The research explores a range of issues related to gender equality, in relation to ‘employment’ specifically it is found that work-related stress is a common occurrence in men’s lives. Between 34 and 88 per cent of men interviewed say that they are frequently stressed or depressed because of not having enough work or income. Men’s stress related to livelihood insecurity derives from the socially constructed role of provider and was a key factor associated with perpetration of violence, depression, suicide, alcohol abuse and higher rates of arrest. The notion that men’s only social role is as a provider needs to be overcome.

The report also argues that measuring work-related stress, rather than simply measuring income, may be a useful way to understand how income and work affect men’s and women’s lives, their identity, their well-being and their relationships.