The Paradox of Masculinity: The Narrative Identities among the Elderly in Yogyakarta

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal both the narrative identities of elderly masculinity and the psychological dynamics that accompanied the journey of life as an older man. Five older men, who live in a geriatric house in Yogyakarta, were participated in this study. This study used hermeneutic-phenomenological approaches, with critical narrative analysis developed from Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutics for the data analysis. The results showed that the face of elderly masculinity is paradoxical masculinity. At the ideal level, the older men appropriated hegemonic masculinity and were in the marginalized masculinity position at the level of reality. Masculine subjects had been experienced the maturation effect of togetherness with their wife. Wife has been an important subject as a medium for growth and a medium to maintain traditional manhood. Paradoxical condition and their intersection with the complexity of the psychological dynamics made older men offer a wiser masculine attitude and transform into positive masculinity values such as gratitude, acceptance of life, sincerity, and caring.