Context

There is already a large body of literature concerning women and debt, but very little research (at the time of writing) has looked specifically into the relationship between men and problematic personal debt. This is often due to gendered financial arrangements often connected to the welfare of children, which has translated into a focus on women’s roles and impacts on women. However, there are signs that after the recession more men were turning to debt advice. For example, the number of men contacting the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) for debt advice had increased by 51% from 2007 to 2011. CCCS has suggested that men felt the effects of the recession more than women due to a combination of rising unemployment, slower rates of increases in pay, and rising household expenditure.

The study

This 2011 report aimed to:

• Provide contextual information on orientation towards and experiences of money management and debt advice;
• Explore triggers of debt among men on low incomes;
• Explore patterns of domestic money management among men;
• Explore strategies employed by men in dealing with problem debt;
• Explore attitudes towards debt advice services;
• Understand barriers men may encounter in accessing and using debt advice.

As a starting point, this study undertook secondary analysis of qualitative data collected for a previous project by CRSP (and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation). This included reanalysing transcripts from in-depth interviews with men and women from low-income households to give context to the report. Following this, 20 men were recruited and completed in-depth interviews.

The 20 men recruited were aged between 25 and 63 from the East Midlands and resided in low to average-income households. Over half were living in households with annual incomes of less than £15,000, while a further quarter were in households with annual incomes of less than £25,000. Interviews took place in the home, lasted between an hour and an hour-and-a-half, and combined a mixture of men who had and who had not previously received debt advice. All but one of the interviewees had multiple forms of debt.

Key findings

• A lack of sustainable employment was the most important trigger, particularly applicable to men who had been reliant on benefits, had a pattern of ‘churning’ in and out of work, or had been made redundant/experienced business failure.
• The problematic debts of a small number of men were associated with addictions (unlike female patterns observed in previous research).

• Patterns of management and control of household income and expenditure was embedded in the dynamics of couple relationships.
• While research shows even modest savings act as a buffer to withstanding financial shocks, most of the men in the study had exhausted savings or consistently used short-term savings to make debt repayments.

• Just over half of interviewees had sought debt advice, though not all managed to access it and subsequently felt disinclined to do so again.
• Those who received advice spoke positively of its emotional and practical benefits.

• Seen as a woman’s role.
• A range of emotional responses such as anger or denial.
• Over-confidence in their financial situation.
• Lack of awareness and understanding of advice services.
• Lack of self-confidence and social-skills perceived to be necessary to seek advice.
• ‘Male pride’/masculinity.

• Overall preference for face-to-face advice, with some men feeling discomfort using the telephone.
• However, some men lacked confidence when meeting face-to-face unless knowing what to expect.
• Approaches that ‘empowered’ men by helping them to feel ‘in charge’ were seen to be more effective.

• Policies aimed at securing sustainable jobs that provide a minimum income standard would have a major impact on reducing problem debt.
• Policies need to support the treatment and prevention services for those men with problematic debt as a result of addiction.
• Advice services need to be made more accessible to men by: targeting services/money advice at events where men may be (such as sporting fixtures, etc); making ‘money-packs’ (advice) available to couples moving in together; emphasising the not-for-profit status of advice services to build trust; and framing advice so that it empowers men to be able ‘to do things their way’.

Points to consider

• This report is relevant to all stakeholders and policymakers with an interest in improving money management among and the provision of debt advice to men.

• The research, while thorough, based solely on qualitative interviews in one geographic region of the United Kingdom. Its findings cannot be readily generalised to the rest of the UK without further research.
• The findings are now dated and caution must be exercised when interpreting them. However, some of these points will still be pertinent.