Men at the margins: Age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and work trajectories in the construction of non-hegemonic masculinities
Men at the margins: Age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and work trajectories in the construction of non-hegemonic masculinities
Over the past few decades there has been a growing interest in men and masculinities driven by the massive changes within the gender order, the second-wave feminist critique of the masculine dominating culture and practice, and the development of critical scholarship concerned with deconstructing the ideological singularity of a universalistic "male way of being". The erosion of a patriarchal male figure rooted upon the traditional provider role and uncontested authority over women has set the need for a deeper understanding of contemporary masculinity as plural masculinities. However, although plurality is a central feature of gender relations, no longer conformed to monolithic models, there exists still, as Connell argued (Carrigan, Connell & Lee, 1985), a symbolic ideal-type of masculinity, that imposes upon all other forms of masculinity (and femininities) meanings about their own position and identity. Therefore, the understanding of contemporary gender relations is largely dependent on the grasp of the ways through which hegemonic masculinity operates not only as a process of domination of men over women, but also of some men over other, subordinated and marginalised, men.
Entering an area of research which has been little explored in Portugal, our central concern is to investigate, in line with developing trends in other countries (Hearn and Pringle, 2006; Pringle et al., 2006), the building up of non-hegemonic masculinities at the margins of the dominant form: that is, professionally successful, heterosexual, physically strong and virile, and European (non-racialised "white"). The research addresses men in a diversity of intersecting marginalised positions by exploring four key-dimensions of discrimination: age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and work trajectories (unemployment). Through these coordinates, potentially stigmatised positions are identified in Portugal, where changes in the demographic configuration, with the rapid pace of aging processes and the growing presence of non-European individuals (mostly immigrated from former Portuguese African colonies and Brazil), the globalised economy and the demands for an equalitarian politics of identity have set new challenges to men. In their lives, different men, and different groups of men, are facing the gap between the norms of dominant masculinity and their own practices and identities in less powerful situations. Older men are dealing with the loss of physical and sexual vigour alongside the withdrawn from professional activity; non-European men, most often placed at the bottom of the social ladder, hardly meet the racialised features of the hegemonic model; gay men, while still subordinated by a homophobic culture, fight for legitimacy; finally, those in long-term unemployment see themselves deprived of their providing role. In all cases, key principles of discrimination, often leading to the perpetuation of inequalities, are being mobilised.
In this investigation we seek to answer three main questions. The first explores the complex ways in which men in these non-hegemonic positions are building up their identities and practices, in both their private and public lives, by reference to the norm of masculine power, success and virility. Secondly, we aim to understand the extent to which these men, while protagonists of main societal processes of change, may contribute to redefine the features of hegemonic masculinity. Are masculinities becoming more plural in equal terms or there are still strong mechanisms of marginalisation of non-hegemonic positions? Finally, it is important to analyse power relations between men and women and also how changes in masculinity(ies) may redefine femininity(ies).
In methodological terms the study adopts a theoretical perspective drawn upon the concept of intersectionality. Rather than binary categorisation, it privileges the mutually constitutive relations of social identities, examining the ways in which various socially and culturally constructed categories interact on multiple levels. Additionally to the criteria used to select four exemplary groups of men, diversity in terms of class and biographical trajectories is also held as fundamental. We will accordingly carry out a qualitative research through in-depth interviews and focus-groups analysis with older men (above age 65) in their post-retirement life phasis, men from African countries and Brasil, gay men and unemployed men in the 30-50 age group. For each group a sample of 15 to 20 individuals living in Lisbon and having different class backgrounds will be constructed. In individual trajectories the intersection between two or more criteria will also be examined (e.g., an unemployed african imigrant, etc.).
Masculinities; Hegemony; Gender; Intersectionality
Over the past few decades there has been a growing interest in men and masculinities driven by the massive changes within the gender order, the second-wave feminist critique of the masculine dominating culture and practice, and the development of critical scholarship concerned with deconstructing the ideological singularity of a universalistic "male way of being". The erosion of a patriarchal male figure rooted upon the traditional provider role and uncontested authority over women has set the need for a deeper understanding of contemporary masculinity as plural masculinities. However, although plurality is a central feature of gender relations, no longer conformed to monolithic models, there exists still, as Connell argued (Carrigan, Connell & Lee, 1985), a symbolic ideal-type of masculinity, that imposes upon all other forms of masculinity (and femininities) meanings about their own position and identity. Therefore, the understanding of contemporary gender relations is largely dependent on the grasp of the ways through which hegemonic masculinity operates not only as a process of domination of men over women, but also of some men over other, subordinated and marginalised, men.
Entering an area of research which has been little explored in Portugal, our central concern is to investigate, in line with developing trends in other countries (Hearn and Pringle, 2006; Pringle et al., 2006), the building up of non-hegemonic masculinities at the margins of the dominant form: that is, professionally successful, heterosexual, physically strong and virile, and European (non-racialised "white"). The research addresses men in a diversity of intersecting marginalised positions by exploring four key-dimensions of discrimination: age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and work trajectories (unemployment). Through these coordinates, potentially stigmatised positions are identified in Portugal, where changes in the demographic configuration, with the rapid pace of aging processes and the growing presence of non-European individuals (mostly immigrated from former Portuguese African colonies and Brazil), the globalised economy and the demands for an equalitarian politics of identity have set new challenges to men. In their lives, different men, and different groups of men, are facing the gap between the norms of dominant masculinity and their own practices and identities in less powerful situations. Older men are dealing with the loss of physical and sexual vigour alongside the withdrawn from professional activity; non-European men, most often placed at the bottom of the social ladder, hardly meet the racialised features of the hegemonic model; gay men, while still subordinated by a homophobic culture, fight for legitimacy; finally, those in long-term unemployment see themselves deprived of their providing role. In all cases, key principles of discrimination, often leading to the perpetuation of inequalities, are being mobilised.
In this investigation we seek to answer three main questions. The first explores the complex ways in which men in these non-hegemonic positions are building up their identities and practices, in both their private and public lives, by reference to the norm of masculine power, success and virility. Secondly, we aim to understand the extent to which these men, while protagonists of main societal processes of change, may contribute to redefine the features of hegemonic masculinity. Are masculinities becoming more plural in equal terms or there are still strong mechanisms of marginalisation of non-hegemonic positions? Finally, it is important to analyse power relations between men and women and also how changes in masculinity(ies) may redefine femininity(ies).
In methodological terms the study adopts a theoretical perspective drawn upon the concept of intersectionality. Rather than binary categorisation, it privileges the mutually constitutive relations of social identities, examining the ways in which various socially and culturally constructed categories interact on multiple levels. Additionally to the criteria used to select four exemplary groups of men, diversity in terms of class and biographical trajectories is also held as fundamental. We will accordingly carry out a qualitative research through in-depth interviews and focus-groups analysis with older men (above age 65) in their post-retirement life phasis, men from African countries and Brasil, gay men and unemployed men in the 30-50 age group. For each group a sample of 15 to 20 individuals living in Lisbon and having different class backgrounds will be constructed. In individual trajectories the intersection between two or more criteria will also be examined (e.g., an unemployed african imigrant, etc.).