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Write 14 pages thesis on the topic an investigation into men's understanding of masculinity using foucauldian discourse analysis.
Write 14 pages thesis on the topic an investigation into men's understanding of masculinity using foucauldian discourse analysis. According to social gender constructionist approaches, gender is seen as a fluid concept in specific cultural and historical contexts. With this in mind, this research aims at exploring men’s understanding of masculinity and their approach to life regarding their notions on masculinity. A better understanding of these issues could help develop interventions aimed at improving men’s lifestyle, behaviour and their emotional lives. Based on this title, ‘An investigation into men’s understanding of masculinity using Foucauldian discourse analysis’, the research question would be ‘What is men’s understanding of masculinity and how do they relate this to their lifestyle, behaviour and emotional lives?’. Key words: Gender, masculinity and Foucauldian discourse analysis Introduction Gender is a concept that was developed through time in an effort to create a power class in society because of the differences between the two classes (Courtney, 2000). This was achieved by construction of behavioural patterns that were set up to characterize each gender group. This partition in roles and behaviour made possible for one group to assume the more assertive and powerful position in society at the expense of the other gender group. With reference to this, masculinity is also an ideal that was developed in society and was handed down from one generation to another through inheritable behavioural conditioning. Masculinity has been used as the focal point of championing the male genders assertion to power. Masculinity is seen as the core component of the male gender, and it is a protected ideal among the male gender. The concept of masculinity is subject to modifications by time and lifestyle changes. This has led to different perceptions about masculinity as a concept because of the way the concept was transferred from one generation to another. When studying gender psychology there are two approaches that include mainstream approaches informed on essentialism. The other one being social constructionist approaches towards gender. In essentialism, all persons are said to have a discoverable and definable nature (Burr 2003). In essentialism, researchers measure the differences between the genders for the difference between degrees of assertiveness between two groups. In social constructionist approaches, it is assumed that knowledge is socially constructed through human meaning making-through people’s efforts to make sense of it and navigate their selves within it (Rogers & Rogers, 2001). The latter approach can be said to be anti-essentialist in the sense that there is no determined nature to the world or people because of the dynamic nature of life (Burr, 2003). Keeping these approaches in focus, this research aims at analysing masculinity through the psychological perspectives of gender. According to Beynon, masculinity is a diverse concept and can be divided to represent various aspects (White & Howard, 2008). From a psychological perspective, the expression of masculinity is an essential component required in identifying with the male gender. It is expressed in the body language, tone of voice and general outward appearance. The physical attributes of the male gender can be attributed to nature. This change is due to erosion of the masculinity concept by time (White & Howard, 2008).
