Recently, several men's shelters have emerged in European countries like Denmark and Switzerland, aiming to assist men facing family crises. Psychologists note that men are actually more prone to loneliness than women. Men experiencing family hardships often hesitate to confide in others, making them susceptible to straying from the right path. Consequently, they require greater societal care and support.
In Copenhagen's Christianhavn district, a red-brick building overlooking the river houses Denmark's newest men's shelter, "Mandsen Center." Spanning 650 square meters, its interior features simple, elegant decor that fosters a home-like warmth.Each of its 12 rooms is equipped with a television and internet access. Professional counselors provide support to men facing various family crises, monitoring them to prevent emotional distress from spiraling into alcoholism or drug abuse.
Most men seeking help here have left homes dominated by violent wives, unable to endure mental and physical torment. Others are desperate souls adrift after marital breakdowns."Women can be just as violent as men when they lose their temper," says Winnie Bentson, a counselor at Mandersentree. "When enraged, they lose all reason—some hurl objects at their husbands, others even resort to knives."Bentsen noted that the men seeking help are typically henpecked husbands. Their wives exert strong control, forbidding them from spending their own money, meeting friends or relatives, and demanding they return home by a set time—or else locking them out.
Mandsens Tre isn't Denmark's only men's shelter. The country's first male support organization is called Horsens."These men desperately need help," says Mia Lund, a social worker at Horsens. "They range in age from 20 to 70."
Thomas Petersen, 47, has lived at Horsens for over three months. After their divorce, his ex-wife sold the house she owned, and Petersen lost his job, suddenly becoming homeless."I was at my wit's end. I wanted to see my two daughters," Peterson lamented. "Divorce comes at a heavy price."
Currently, Denmark has three men's shelters. However, Torkil Hansen, director of Mandestreg, believes this is far from sufficient for a country with a 50% divorce rate. Compared to shelters for women, men's shelters are not only fewer in number but also receive inadequate financial support.Mandestreg currently receives approximately $2.6 million annually in government funding, with a smaller portion coming from private foundations.
Winn, a counselor at Mandestreg, stated that since opening in September 2007, "over 300 men have received help here. They've learned how to rebuild their lives, and some have even learned to adapt to the role of single fathers."
Switzerland has recently established its first shelters for "marital trauma-affected men," aiming to provide a healing space for men physically and emotionally wounded by marriage. Klanić, an official handling domestic violence issues in Zurich Canton, Switzerland, stated that society should move beyond traditional notions of "male strength and female weakness." As more men become victims of domestic violence and marital disputes, society must offer them greater attention.