Understanding the Role of Masculinity through the Perspectives of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Intervention Practitioners Engaged in Men’s (de)Radicalization

Abstract

Within the field of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) male clients are overwhelmingly represented, which reflects the key and complex significance ‘masculinity’ has for understanding susceptibility to violent extremism, processes of radicalisation and related issues. This article analyses the perspectives of 12 CVE Intervention Practitioners (n = 8 female, n = 4 male) in Australia and their views on the role gender plays in their work. We focus on the practitioners’ experiences with male clients and how they understood the relationship between gender, rapport building and (de)radicalization. The practitioners highlight how a common aspect of their clients’ ideology involved either explicit misogyny or quite rigid opinions regarding the roles of men and women in society. They often mentioned their male clients experienced difficulties in expressing and understanding their own masculinity. However, while it is important to identify commonalities within the gendered dynamics present in CVE work, the data suggest the interaction between practitioner and client continues to be quite varied. We argue that this highlights not only how masculinities are discursively produced, but how male clients may shift between identity positions during deradicalization depending on their interpersonal interactions.