Abstract

This introductory chapter outlines the key rationale and aims of ‘Men and Welfare’ and the need for an updated, critical interrogation of the relationship between men, welfare, and social policy in the contemporary context. We situate the book in relation to ‘Men, Gender Divisions and Welfare’ (Popay et al., 1998), a foundational intervention in these debates 25 years ago. Providing an overview of the 1998 text as a novel hook and anchor for this new collection, we outline continuity and advance, both in academic debates, thematic interests, and wider policy contexts, to carve out a space for a renewed examination of the dynamics between men, gender divisions, welfare, and social policy. We conclude by mapping the contributions of this collection, which collectively illustrate the breadth, scope, and potential of contemporary research in this field, and how the themes explored in the original text continue to inspire current questions and debates.