Feminist researchers have challenged one another to widen the focus of feminist study slightly in order to include men as subjects of social research. To better understand the social dynamics and structural mechanisms involved in violence against women, for example, it is necessary to focus on the male perpetrator in addition to the female victim. The author explores the problems and barriers feminist researchers face when attempting to focus on male subjects, including issues of safety, problems with accessing the population, ethical dilemmas, interviewing strategies, and challenges of interpreting and analyzing the data gained from male subjects. As a basis for discussing these topics, the author offers insights from her own qualitative research with violent fathers. The methodological concerns that accompany women directly studying men generally revolve around qualitative methods, particularly face-to-face interactions like in-depth interviews. Concerns generally focus on potential for sexual arousal or assault and issues involving power dynamics within the interview process. The author reviews her problems gaining access to violent fathers as well as her problems with confidentiality. Challenges involved with establishing rapport and maintaining a non-judgmental façade are discussed as the author cautions future researchers that while directly researching violent men is critical to feminist scholarship, it can be difficult to listen to and analyze men’s minimizations and justifications for their violence against women and children. Notes, references