Gender performance in qualitative studies of masculinities

Abstract

The influence of gender in qualitative research studies of masculinities is considered in this article. The findings are based on two separate studies of masculinities involving men who participated in semi-structured individual interviews while enrolled at a private research university. Using West and Zimmerman’s theory of gender performance, the authors argue that participants expressed themselves as men and offered responses to interview questions in ways that were aligned with traditional assumptions about gender roles and expectations. Data from the two studies are juxtaposed to illuminate the influence researchers’ gender may have had on data collection and rapport building with male participants. Implications for future qualitative inquiries into gender and masculinities are offered.