Rethinking Masculinities Across Cultures, Institutions, and Lived Experiences

Masculinity studies examine how masculine identities and practices are constructed, negotiated, and transformed within changing social, cultural, political, and economic conditions. Increasing attention has been given to the relational nature of masculinities and to their intersections with gender, sexuality, class, race, ethnicity, disability, generation, nationality, and other dimensions of social difference. Current research challenges singular or universal understandings of masculinity by examining hegemonic, subordinate, marginalized, hybrid, and diverse forms of masculine identity across local and transnational contexts, as well as changing definitions of masculinity that challenge gender binaries. At the same time, these shifts have met political challenges from new identifications that subvert traditional binary and biological distinctions by reasserting them, claiming the existence of only two sexes, male and female, and the dominance of men and traditional sexualities, a reminder that egalitarian transformations in gender relations and rights to social justice can be lost as well as won. However, important questions remain concerning how masculinities reproduce or resist inequality, how social institutions shape lived experiences, and how changing expectations influence men, boys, and people who identify with or are affected by masculine norms. Interdisciplinary scholarship has explored masculinities in family life, education, employment, politics, health, media, literature, popular culture, and digital environments, while ongoing debates consider the relationship between masculinity, privilege, vulnerability, violence, care, and gender equality. Further research is needed to connect these perspectives and to clarify how masculinities are being reshaped in response to broader social change.This Research Topic aims to advance critical and interdisciplinary understandings of contemporary masculinities as dynamic, relational, and context dependent. It seeks to examine how masculine identities are produced, experienced, challenged, and transformed across different societies and institutions, including the contested political debates over gender binaries described above; to investigate the intersections between masculinities and systems of power and inequality; and to identify pathways through which masculinities may contribute to violence prevention, wellbeing, social justice, gender equality, and more inclusive forms of social change. Contributions may also consider how theoretical, empirical, participatory, and creative methodologies can broaden research on masculinities and represent diverse lived experiences.To gather further insights into masculinities across social, cultural, political, economic, and transnational contexts, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Hegemonic, marginalized, subordinate, hybrid, and inclusive masculinities- Masculinities and intersections of gender, sexuality, class, race, ethnicity, disability, and generation- Changing definitions of masculinity, gender binaries, and the political contestation of these shifts- Fatherhood, parenting, family life, and intimate relationships- Masculinities in education, employment, organisations, and professional cultures- Men’s health, wellbeing, vulnerability, and help seeking- Violence, aggression, militarism, and violence prevention- Care, emotional expression, intimacy, and alternative masculine practices- Masculinities in politics, activism, policy, and social movements- Media, literature, popular culture, sport, and digital masculinities- Young masculinities, ageing, and intergenerational change- Transnational, postcolonial, and culturally specific perspectives on masculinities- Masculinities, gender equality, social justice, and broader social transformation Topic editors: Beniamino Cislaghi, Preetha R Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84124/rethinking-masculinities-across-cultures-institutions-and-lived-experiences