TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Women’s studies. Women’s rights. Women’s resources. Women’s empowerment. These are all topics discussed in professional and academic institutions around the world.

But on April 28-29, The University of Alabama School of Social Work will turn its attention to men, hosting “Caring, Sharing and Preparing to Serve: The First Conference on Social Work With and For Men.”

“Although many researchers have focused on women’s issues, we found a lack of research and recognition of unique and common needs that men face,” said Dr. Jordan Kosberg, UA professor of social work and conference co-chair.

“Often we measure the degree of problems faced by a population by their utilization of community resources,” said Kosberg, “Men fail to label certain conditions as problems and therefore fail to ask for help,” he explained.

The conference, to be held at the Bryant Conference Center, will feature presentations and guest speakers from Boston University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, UNC-Charlotte, and Case Western University, among other institutions.

Session topics include parenting, post-traumatic stress in veterans, access to healthcare, grandfathers as caregivers, male widowhood, and issues relating to specific male ethnic groups.

“The conference reinforces the field of social work’s commitment to ethics, specifically professional equity and concern about all people despite age, sex, or gender,” said Kosberg.

For more information about the conference, see http://www.sw.ua.edu/newsevents/mensconference08.html or phone 205/348-3924.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.