Care-Full Masculinities

Abstract

The study set out to understand how masculinity is defined in relation to care by exploring the ways that care is gendered for a small group of men in Irish society. Broadly the men in their personal conversations defined themselves either as Conservatives (Cian, Nevan, Adam, Douglas, Conor, Rory, and Liam), Sharers (Pascal, Jamal, Fionn, John, Dessie, Dermot, Dave, Charlie, and Graham), or Carers (Tommy, Angus, Simon, Cathal, Greg). The classification connects how the different men define caring and masculinity in relation to their accounts of their practices, and though there is a remarkable affinity between them, the fact that they are occasionally incongruent indicates certain tensions, contradictions and inconsistencies in how they imagine themselves as men and how they live their lives. Some of the men are difficult to place and they cross categories: Greg could be defined as formerly very conservative in his attitude to caring, but he is considered a Carer as he became a primary carer for his children and increasingly defines himself thus. Nevan also defines his life in conventional ways but feels positive about younger people sharing caring and might, therefore, be considered a Sharer. Although Rory defends gendered differences in caring, he also supports men having a much greater involvement in caring generally so he is considered a Conservative and a Sharer. What they have in common is a cultural context where the master narratives of Nurturing Femininity and Breadwinner Masculinity provide a conceptual blueprint or ideal type men identify with and compare themselves to in different ways and which produce varying degrees of not only conformity and commitment but also resistance amongst men.