Rural Masculinities and Fathering: The Lived Experiences of Chinese Farmers

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to the process of Chinese fathers in the countryside representing themselves as men while encountering rapid social changes. This qualitative study explored how rural Chinese men construct masculinities through stories about their fathering experiences. Fifteen farmers from southwest China were interviewed about their involvement in childrearing. The fathers were identified to have constructed configurations of masculinity fitting their social context, which were negotiated using various personal, interpersonal, and contextual resources. The participants presented themselves as family supporters, collaborative husbands, and strict but caring fathers who envisioned relying on their children near death. Gender inequalities were revealed, and participants legitimized these by emphasizing the instrumentality of such gender relations in childrearing and family development. Study limitations and implications for future research and practices related to rural Chinese fathers are discussed.