Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello Everyone: > > I provide OT and an ALF. It's a 33 bed facility that is > mostly women but > has about 5 or 6 men. Some of the men have been here for > years. They are > in varying states of physical and mental health, but > they are all able > to participate in life. BUT, they don't!! The women > get together and > chat and socialize, but the men stay so isolated from > each other. WHY?
Maybe their idea of participating in life is to do something outside of the place where they live, sleep, eat - and with someone else? Like, they went out to work all their life - they might still want to spend some of their day somewhere else? > > I know that I am not an overly social person. I > don't hang out with > other men just to talk. In fact, I'm uncomfortable in > social situations > that don't have goals. I'm with you about the goals - and I guess some of us prefer them more visible, or physical... But I also have a picture coming up for me of Turkish cafés filled with retired men, playing backgammon, smoking and drinking tea (or Raki) all day long. And students of both sexes, with books and laptops, spending all day in the cafés that have free refill of coffee. Lots of chatting and socializing going on.. > > Is the lack of male socialization just part of the > male condition? Or > has the right opportunity just no presented itself > to bring the men > together? 5 or 6 is not a lot - might not appear to them that they have much in common. But maybe if they went different places during daytime, they'd have something to discuss at the end of the day - or would like to tell the ladies about their day. Any possibilities in the local area? Or just outside - some hens to look after and a nice bench to hang out? susanne, denmark -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
