The complexity of recovery.

Most of Family Hope Charity's clients suffer from some mix of chronic destitution,

violence, ignorance, HIV/Aids, and substance abuse.  So the struggle to find a life

to hope in is very tough.  Our observations about the differences between our male

clients and female clients and their approach to recovery is;

Women:                                                                          Men:

*Can more easily redirect themselves                          *Are generally lost and despondent.

*Suffer a great deal but don't fall into self-pity that much                           *Are drowning in self-pity and feel

    as useless as people often treat them.

*Seem to be able and willing to work                             *Find the idea of working with other

  together.                                                                         men like themselves very difficult to conceive.

*Are motivated by re-awakened maternal                     *Are usually estranged from their wives and   

 care and concern for their children.                              children and feel badly about it, but don't know

          what to do.

What do you think about these observations?   

Tom O'Hern