Male Identity Research Articles

‘Everywhere you get models of what you should be like’: ideals of masculinity and therapeutic culture constraining young men’s mental health and gendered subjectivities

ABSTRACT This paper presents a novel approach to youth mental health by examining the connections between young Finnish men’s mental health, ideals of masculinity, and public discourses of mental health. Drawing from critical sociological and feminist theories on gender, power, and therapeutic culture, we apply a thematic discursive analysis to a questionnaire data (n = 910) about men’s mental health targeted at young men (primarily aged 15-29). The findings illustrate how young Finnish men consider ‘traditional’ ideals of masculinity widespread in Finland, restricting the actions of men, and upheld by narrow representations of gender. In addition, young men display critical reactions to the public discourses of mental health, especially the ones they feel are repeated in the media. These discourses are seen as insufficient and too individualised, echoing therapeutic culture. Based on our results, we argue that the highly individualised and gendered discourses of mental health, deriving from therapeutic culture and rooted in Finnish cultural and institutional practices, are inadequate for supporting young men’s mental health. Instead, these practices can create a vicious cycle where the often-well-intended efforts can limit and guide young men towards restricted gendered possibilities to express themselves, talk about mental health, and seek support if needed.

How Do Men Who Post Publicly on Social Media Author Themselves and Their Experiences of Crohn's Disease? A Dialogical Analysis of Three Cases.

Despite distinct sex- and gender-related differences in the presentation and manifestation of Crohn's disease (CD), little research to date has considered men's particular experiences. Whilst hegemonic masculine ideals have been reported to negatively impact men's mental and physical health, increasingly research has emphasized that men engage in a diverse range of practices, including those beneficial to health. One such practice is posting about their illness experiences on social media. The interactive nature of posting online means that a dialogical approach, based on a relational epistemology, is particularly useful. This study therefore asked: "How do men who post publicly on social media author themselves and their experiences of CD?" Three participants were recruited, all of whom had a diagnosis of CD, wrote a blog, and posted on other social networking sites (SNSs) about CD. Two resided in Canada and one in the United Kingdom. All were white. For each participant, 2years of multimodal social media data was downloaded. After screening, in-depth analysis was conducted using a dialogical approach focusing on three key dialogical concepts: genre, chronotope, and forms of authorship. The key findings emphasized the participants' different responses to the lack of predictability caused by CD and the different ways they used social media to gain a greater sense of control over their illness stories and identities, providing important insights into the interaction between masculine identities and illness. Finally, the potential deployment of such methods in future research and within therapeutic contexts was considered.

Redefining from the Rural: Rape, Revenge and Masculine Identity in Bajocero (2021)

Catalan director Lluís Quílez’s 2021 Netflix film, Bajocero ostensibly tells the story of men against nature. This article views the film as a rape-revenge thriller that narrativizes a ‘traditional’ masculine identity in crisis and attempts to rehabilitate via an ideal Spanish masculine based in the rural. Released in the aftermath of La manada rape trial, the film burdens the male body with both the believing of women and enacting justice. As one of the first fictional narratives to take on rape in post-manada Spain, the film provides an opportunity to address masculinity in relation to violence against women.

PARADIGMS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF MASCULINITY IN OUR TIME: HAVE WE OVERCOME IT?

This article proposes a debate on gender identity issues, with a main focus on masculinity in the 21st century. Moving towards a perspective that is not limited to sexuality, the concept of hegemonic masculinity is explored, influenced by several theoretical fields, such as cultural, sociological and psychoanalytic studies. The methodology adopted involves writing about oneself and remembering personal experiences, highlighting the importance of this reflection on subjectivities in the training of future teachers. The results and discussions address the influence of patriarchy and the historical construction of masculinity, as well as its hegemonic manifestations in various social contexts, such as education, work and health. It is concluded that hegemonic masculinity perpetuates male domination over women and non-normative men, but its definition and practice are complex and varied, and it is important to consider individual and contextual particularities in the analysis of male identities.

The conserved genetic program of male germ cells uncovers ancient regulators of human spermatogenesis.

Male germ cells share a common origin across animal species, therefore they likely retain a conserved genetic program that defines their cellular identity. However, the unique evolutionary dynamics of male germ cells coupled with their widespread leaky transcription pose significant obstacles to the identification of the core spermatogenic program. Through network analysis of the spermatocyte transcriptome of vertebrate and invertebrate species, we describe the conserved evolutionary origin of metazoan male germ cells at the molecular level. We estimate the average functional requirement of a metazoan male germ cell to correspond to the expression of approximately 10,000 protein-coding genes, a third of which defines a genetic scaffold of deeply conserved genes that has been retained throughout evolution. Such scaffold contains a set of 79 functional associations between 104 gene expression regulators that represent a core component of the conserved genetic program of metazoan spermatogenesis. By genetically interfering with the acquisition and maintenance of male germ cell identity, we uncover 161 previously unknown spermatogenesis genes and three new potential genetic causes of human infertility. These findings emphasize the importance of evolutionary history on human reproductive disease and establish a cross-species analytical pipeline that can be repurposed to other cell types and pathologies.

Virtual masculinities: Gamification, escape, and body control in Ernest Cline’s ready player one (2011)

This paper examines the intersection of masculinity and technology in Ernest Cline's Ready Player One, focusing on how virtual spaces like the OASIS serve as arenas for constructing and performing masculinity. Through the lenses of gamification, technological escape, and control over the virtual body, the novel presents a nuanced critique of how men navigate identity in a digital, hyperreal world. The study argues that Ready Player One not only reflects hegemonic masculine ideals but also reveals the vulnerabilities and limitations of such constructions in both real and virtual realms. By analyzing the protagonist Wade Watts's journey, the paper explores how the gamification of identity in the OASIS allows for the performance of idealized masculinity while simultaneously exposing its fragility. It examines how technology serves as an escape from real-world vulnerabilities, offering temporary empowerment but ultimately highlighting the unsustainability of virtual refuges. Furthermore, the paper investigates how control over the virtual body in the OASIS reflects broader cultural pressures on men to conform to societal standards of masculinity. Drawing on scholarly work in digital media, gender studies, and gaming culture, this analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital environments both construct and deconstruct traditional gender norms. Ultimately, the paper argues that while the OASIS provides a space for performing idealized masculinity, it also underscores the limitations of virtual identities, revealing the need for a more grounded understanding of masculinity that transcends the illusory empowerment offered by technology.

Understanding the Cultural Politics Experience of Indonesian Male Domestic Helpers in Malaysia

This research explores the cultural-politics dynamics of Indonesian male domestic workers in Malaysia as they confront and challenge societal prejudices while taking on fatherhood-associated responsibilities. It delves into the obstacles these men face due to ingrained gender stereotypes that question their suitability for domestic roles, particularly in a foreign cultural context. The primary objective is to understand how these men redefine their identities and assert their roles as nurturers and providers, challenging traditional masculine ideals. This study uses a qualitative research design and a narrativization approach to explore the experiences of Indonesian male domestic helpers. Through in-depth interviews and personal narratives, the research reveals how these men navigate their roles as caregivers and fathers, challenging traditional gender norms and gaining recognition within their households and communities. The study also highlights the importance of upholding cultural ties and personal resilience in their experiences as migrant domestic workers.

Characteristics of trans and non-binary children and adolescents who attended a tertiary hospital.

Introduction. The trans population in Argentina represents 0.43%. Our objective was to describe the characteristics of trans and non-binary children and adolescents. Population and methods. A cross-sectional study was designed. The population was all trans or nonbinary persons under 24 years of age seen by an interdisciplinary team in a tertiary university hospital from January 2019 to May 2023. The sample was obtained from the database of patients seen by reviewing electronic medical records (EMR). Results. The EMRs of 107 individuals were analyzed; the average age at first consultation was 15.3 years, and the age of self-perceived transgender identity was 11.1 years. Seventy-two percent perceived themselves as having a trans male identity; in 89.7%, their gender expression was by their self-perception, and 46.3% had a bisexual sexual orientation. Seventy-six percent acknowledged having family support; 87.3%, school support; and 92.5%, peer support. 44.8% had a hormonal strategy, 14.1% had surgery, 57.1% had mental health intervention, and 29.1% received psychiatric medication. Only three patients (2.8%) detransitioned their gender identity. Conclusion. Most individuals were trans men and perceived good support from their environments. Almost half received a hormonal strategy; less than a quarter received a surgical intervention; more than half received a mental health intervention. The detransition was infrequent.

Men’s anxieties and defences regarding gender (in)equality in the workplace: An object-relations psychoanalysis of organisational masculinities

This article explores men’s psychic attachments to organisational masculinities in the context of gender equality initiatives in the UK finance sector. Deploying an object-relations psychoanalysis and generating interview data with 30 male executives and non-executives, it unpacks why and how men outwardly support but unconsciously repudiate workplace gender equality. We explain how this conflict indicates the presence of what Melanie Klein terms the paranoid-schizoid position. We examine two key unconscious processes of the paranoid-schizoid position in men’s accounts: gender-splitting, when men dissociate undesirable aspects of organisational masculinity, and projection, when repressed, negative parts of their masculine ideals are instead attributed to women. This article’s contributions demonstrate how the paranoid-schizoid position is defensive, enabling men to articulate support for gender equality, but also protect paranoid constructions of organisational masculinity when it is threatened by women. Empirically and theoretically, this article shows how organisational masculinities are ambivalent, which in Kleinian terms underscores how masculinity has ‘good’ and ‘bad’ components that are constituted unconsciously through its relationship with the object world. This article concludes by drawing out the implications for (re)positioning men within workplace gender equality debates and activities.

Abstract B018: Changes in prevalence and correlates of tobacco use in 13 high-risk states in the United States from 2023-2024

Abstract Significance: Overall tobacco use rates are higher in the Midwest and Southern regions of the United States (US) than the rest of the US, yet little is known on correlates of tobacco use, or how rates are changing in recent years. This study examines current correlates of tobacco use among individuals living in the 13 most high-risk states in the US over two years. Methods: First, we examined the prevalence of tobacco use and related correlates in a rapid response survey of 4,550 adults collected between April-May 2023 (18+ years) living in the 13 high-risk states collected by the American Cancer Society. Data were weighted to be representative of the states’ population. Bivariate analyses for demographic characteristics were conducted examining cigarette use, e-cigarette use, and cigar use. Additional data collected from April-May 2024 in a second wave of cross-sectional data (n=4,500) for comparison between years and are currently being analyzed to reflect potential changes in correlates from 2023 to 2024. Results: Respondents in Wave 1 were aged 18-65 (Mean = 41.85; SD=0.32) and were majority Non-Hispanic White (70.9%) and female (51.9%). 47.5% of respondents reported an annual household income of <$75,000 USD. Although most respondents lived in urban (50.2%) or mostly urban areas (26.6%), several participants still resided in mostly rural (11.0%) or all rural (10.2%) as defined by US Census demographic data. The prevalence of any tobacco use was high across all 13 states (33.1%), with 29.5% reporting cigarette, e-cigarette and/or cigar use.21.1% of respondents were persons who currently smoke vs. 11.5% for the national average, while 20.7% were persons who previously smoked and 8.0% were persons who occasionally smoke. 14.0% of respondents reported current e-cigarette use vs 4.5% for the national average and 17.5% reported previous e-cigarette use. 8.7% of respondents reported current cigar use vs 3.5% for the national average and 24.1% reported previous cigar use. Respondents identifying as male (<.001) and with a household income <$75,000 (<.001), a disability (p=.014), or military/veteran status (p=.031) were more likely to currently smoke. Respondents who were male (p=.004) or reported household income <$75,000 (p=.011) were more likely to report current e-cigarettes use; higher use was associated with increasing age (<.001). Respondents who were male (<.001), and nonwhite (<.001) were more likely to report current cigar use; higher use was associated with increasing age. Conclusions: Cigarette use is high among individuals living in this region, and is related to lower household income, military/veteran status, disability status, and male identity. E-cigarette and cigar use increased with age. These high tobacco use rates lead to increased health inequities, with related high rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Given that tobacco use continues to be high in these states, tailored cessation programs could help reduce the heavy burden of tobacco use among this population. Citation Format: Minal Patel, Laurel Gibson, Presley Cannon, Shanshan Wang, Nigar Nargis. Changes in prevalence and correlates of tobacco use in 13 high-risk states in the United States from 2023-2024 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B018.

Gender Stereotype in Tess of The D’urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This study focused on gender stereotypes in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles (1891) and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925). The objectives of the study were to: examine the portrayal of masculinity-femininity stereotype; examine the language used in gender stereotype and analyse the impact of traditional gender stereotype on the female characters. The study used the feminist theory to examine gender stereotype in the two male–authored novels to show how they have positioned and portrayed women in their literature in the Victorian period both in England and America The literary analysis was to ascertain whether or not the gender stereotype was a global notion in literature or a misrepresentation of the women not as persons but as sexualized figures. Gender stereotype in these novels was examined using the descriptive research design and data was collected using literary analysis. The findings indicated that both novels portrayed the female gender with discrimination, injustice, dishonesty and exploitatively. This was done with the use of symbolism, imagery, similes and metaphor. The conclusion drawn points to the fact that the quest for a masculine identity is a common theme as male characters are seen struggling to become real men with traits such as: power, strength and robustness whereas female characters were portrayed as sexualized figure used for social status in the male dominated societies. With regard to language stereotype, the male characters employed language to paint negative image in line with the accepted image in the male dominated society. The researchers recommend that detailed and comprehensive studies be conducted in the area of gender and culture and gender and literature in the novel as a genre generally

Criminal legal system engagement among people who use drugs in Oregon following decriminalization of drug possession

BackgroundIn February 2021, Measure 110 (M110) in Oregon decriminalized noncommercial possession of drugs. We examined criminal legal system (CLS) involvement of people who use drugs (PWUD) 2 years after decriminalization. MethodsWe conducted a quantitative survey of PWUD (N=468) in eight Oregon counties between March and November 2023. We ran multivariable models to examine predictors of CLS involvement and law enforcement stops. ResultsThe majority of PWUD (74 %) reported any past year CLS involvement; 67 % had at least one law enforcement stop (mean of 11.4 and median of 3 law enforcement stops) and 33 % had at least one jail incarceration. Among PWUD whom law enforcement had found to possess drugs (n=101), 77 % had their drugs seized at least once, and 63 % (n=56) were taken into custody for charges that did not include drug use or possession at least once. Younger age, cisgender male identity, unstable housing, and nonurban county location were associated with a higher prevalence of any CLS involvement. PWUD who were unstably housed had 6.80 more law enforcement stops than housed PWUD (95 % CI: 4.03–9.57). PWUD in nonurban counties experienced 9.73 more law enforcement stops than those in urban areas (95 % CI: 4.90–14.56). No significant differences were found by race or ethnicity and CLS involvement. Only 13 % of PWUD were aware that all drugs had been decriminalized. ConclusionsDespite drug decriminalization, the majority of PWUD in our study reported significant CLS engagement and limited M110 knowledge.

To Alleviate Stigma: How Incels Negotiate Masculinity Online

This article draws on Goffman’s stigma theory to explore how incels (involuntary celibates) alleviate stigma and negotiate masculinity by employing normification, minstrelization, and militant chauvinism. Using netnographic research, I qualitatively explore three incel forums consisting of 927 comment threads. While incels advocate antifeminism and misogyny, they also exhibit traits and behaviors usually avoided in subcultures dominated by men, such as narratives of loneliness and inadequacy related to hegemonic ideals of masculinity and hyper-masculinity. This article explores the ambiguity of gender processes online, identity negotiation among incels and the use and combination of various stigma management strategies to uphold, challenge, or reject hegemonic masculinity. I argue that closer attention to stigma can help us understand incels’ countercultural expressions within broader social and cultural notions about masculinity and shame.

Handling bad news in a male reproductive health clinic: a speech act perspective

Communication is a crucial tool in all forms of interaction. The medical world without communication is inconceivable. Guided by Austin’s speech act theory, this work explores how doctors relay bad news in the form of infertility diagnoses in a reproductive health clinic in Kenya and the responses of male patients to this news. It is a qualitative study in a public health facility in Nakuru town in Nakuru County, Kenya. The two male patients recruited for this study were willing to participate without payment or coercion. The conversation on reproductive health problems between the doctor and male patients was collected using participant observation. The diagnosis of male infertility can be a significant source of distress for male patients as it challenges traditional perceptions of masculinity. Similar locutionary and illocutionary acts can elicit very different perlocutionary acts. An utterance, once made, cannot be altered, nor can its effect. A man’s emotional response to an infertility diagnosis is profound and irreversible. Bad news in a reproductive health clinic includes male infertility diagnoses, a condition that impacts the masculine identity of a man and threatens his entire existence.

Soccer and Vocational Training are Ineffective Delivery Strategies to Prevent HIV and Substance Abuse by Young, South African Men: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

HIV and substance abuse are common among young men, associated with a cluster of risk behaviors. Yet, most services addressing these challenges are delivered in setting underutilized by men and are often inconsistent with male identity. This cluster randomized controlled trial aimed to reduce multiple risk behaviors found among young men township areas on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. Young men aged 18-29years (N = 1193) across 27 neighborhoods were randomized by area to receive HIV-related skills training during either: (1) a 12-month soccer league (SL) intervention; (2) 6-month SL followed by 6months of vocational training (VT) intervention (SL/VT, n = 9); or 3) a control condition (CC). Bayesian longitudinal mixture models were used to evaluate behaviors over time. Because we targeted multiple outcomes as our primary outcome, we analyzed if the number of significantly different outcomes between conditions exceeded chance for 13 measures over 18months (with 83%, 76%, and 61% follow-up). Only if there were three significant benefits favoring the SL/VT over the SL would benefits be significant. Outcome measures included substance use, HIV-testing, protective sexual behaviors, violence, community engagement and mental health. Consistent participation in the SL was typically around 45% over time across conditions, however, only 17% of men completed SL/VT. There were no significant differences between conditions over time based on the number of study outcomes. These structural interventions were ineffective in addressing young men's substance abuse and risk for HIV.Clinical Trial Registration: This trial was prospectively registered on 24 November 2014 with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02358226).

The drive for muscularity and disordered eating among heterosexual and sexual minority men in Israel.

In this study, we investigated the moderating effects of self-acceptance and perceived country-level acceptance of gender and sexual orientation on the relationship between the drive for muscularity and disordered eating, particularly among sexual minority and cisgender men. We hypothesized that high levels of acceptance, both individually and within the societal context, would mitigate the pressure to adhere to conventional masculine ideals, consequently lowering the likelihood of engaging in disordered eating behaviors. Seven hundred twenty-three Israeli men aged 18-68 participated in the study. The sample included heterosexual men (67.9%) and sexual minority men (30.1%), with a deliberate oversampling of sexual minority men to explore differences in the suggested model between heterosexual and sexual minority groups. The data were analyzed using hierarchical robust regression, examining interactions between the variables of interest. The results revealed significant associations between the drive for muscularity, disordered eating, and lower self-acceptance of sexual identity. Sexual minority men reported higher levels of disordered eating and drive for muscularity than did heterosexual men, along with lower levels of acceptance of gender and sexual orientation (by the individual and the country). The association between drive for muscularity and disordered eating was moderated by sexual orientation and self-acceptance of gender identity, with a stronger association among men with lower self-acceptance of their gender identity and sexual minority men. The findings underscore the significance of fostering individual and country-level acceptance of gender and sexual orientation differences to promote well-being and mitigate the risk of disordered eating among heterosexual and sexual minority men, particularly the latter. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Comedies of Beset Manhood: Midlife Masculinity in the Films of Alexander Payne

The career of director-writer Alexander Payne has coincided with, and developed alongside, the cultural discourse about men in crisis. His last seven films have engaged several of the concerns that have informed considerations of contemporary manhood since the 1990s. Avoiding the overwrought tone of many of such works, Payne’s films collectively examine the disorientation and disappointments of midlife men, but they defy simplistic narrative resolutions. Both employing and subverting the conventions of comic form, Payne’s films artfully reveal how ideologies of iconic White manhood weigh on individuals who fall outside of—or age out of—those masculine ideals. In narrativizing and individualizing the concerns of the men-in-crisis conversation, Payne adds complexity and depth to ongoing discourses about gender and aging.

Women and Leadership: A Case of the Kenyan and South African Banking Sector

Throughout the history of management theories, masculine ideals have dominated the development of organisational leadership structures, often leading to a belief in the inherent superiority of men in leadership roles. Despite progress, many organisations still operate under the assumption that women are somehow deficient compared to men in leadership capabilities. The research objective was to investigate the difficulties Black African women encounter in leadership positions in Kenyan and South African banks, specifically concerning how society views women in leadership roles. The study conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups involving 41 Black African women managers from the banking sectors of both countries, employing an inter-categorical intersectionality approach. The research revealed a perceived lack of fit for top executive leadership positions among African-Black women. A comparison between masculine and feminine leadership styles underscored the gendered sex-role stereotypes that hindered the advancement of Black African women into top executive roles within the banking sector. In summary, the findings emphasise that, as long as ‘think manager, think male’ persists in leadership, Black African women will continue to encounter obstacles in attaining top executive positions within the banking sectors of Kenya and South Africa. The study’s practical implications are that it emphasises the understanding of women and leadership and its role as an obstacle for Black women managers in the Kenyan and South African banking sectors. The originality of this study is that it contributes to the understanding of women and leadership literature in the banking sectors of Kenya and South Africa, as well as sub-Saharan African countries.

Afterbirth and rebirth in 4 Maccabees’ portrait of (wo)manly courage

In 4 Maccabees’ skillfully woven tale of seven brother martyrs and their mother, a rather puzzling phrase appears in the emotionally-charged scene of the mother looking upon the mutilated corpses of her seven sons. The graphic description—burned flesh, severed hands, scalped heads, corpses upon corpses—includes, in most editions of the text, a side reference to the place filled with many spectators because of the children’s torments (4 Macc 15:20; NRSVue). These editions and translations reflect an ancient scribal emendation to the Greek text of Codex Sinaiticus that reads χόριον (afterbirth) as χορίδιον/χωρίδιον/χωρίον (place). What is surprising about this emendation is that it disrupts the focus of the encomium—the mother’s exemplary courage despite seeing the extreme mutilation of her children—whereas the earlier reading, afterbirth, is an apt description of the corpses within the context of the scene and complements the portrayal of the mother’s role throughout the book. This article considers how the erasure of afterbirth in 4 Macc 15:20 obscures the significance of the birthing metaphor in 4 Maccabees’ portrayal of the mother’s role, particularly as it relates to the image of her rebirthing (ἀνατίκτω) her sons into immortality (4 Macc 16:13). Far from a scribal error in need of emendation, afterbirth in 4 Macc 15:20 is a key feature of the birth imagery, which functions in concert with the masculinization of the mother to paint a portrait of her as the embodiment of both masculine and feminine ideals, the ultimate example of Torah piety, and a generative force of immortality.

Radical exposure: religion, masculinity, and politics in the William Bengo’ Collyer scandal

ABSTRACT This article considers a hitherto neglected sexual scandal involving the Congregational minister William Bengo’ Collyer and two young men at a public swimming baths in Camberwell (then in Surrey) in the spring of 1823. It explores the relationships between Congregationalism, and Evangelical Dissent more generally, and the cultures of contemporary masculinity and political radicalism. In so doing, it reveals how radical political figures, notably Thomas Wakley, constructed a masculine identity as upright, honest, and rigidly heteronormative, and shows how this was counterposed to the imagined masculinity of their opponents, who were often figured as effeminised, secretive, and sexually non-normative. Central to this process of rhetorical opposition was an emphasis on openness and public accountability, and this article demonstrates how the scandal that enveloped Collyer in the summer and early autumn of 1823 was framed by concerns over what should be secret, hidden, or exposed and what implications this had for contested notions of the public good.