How Friendship Generates Key Research Questions That Help to Overcome Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

The concept of new alternative masculinities (NAM) is an alternative to the dominant traditional masculinity (DTM) and oppressed traditional masculinity (OTM) concepts. The difference between these three concepts is that while the NAM constitutes a way to overcome gender-based violence, the OTM and DTM lead to its perpetuation. This ideal typology emerges from decades of interdisciplinary research. The three concepts were articulated in the first “masculinities and attractiveness” conference organized by the group Men in Dialogue. This group started in 2007, 1 year after the death of Jesús Gómez, who created the communicative methodology and who, through his research approach, inspired the NAM. Drawing on a personal narrative that connects friendship to methodology, this article delves into the way transformative friendship has enabled the rise of critical questions and reflection. These reflections were the prelude to what years later would be demonstrated by research on gender-based violence and sexual-affective relationships.