Masculinity Scripts, Good Life and Familial Intentions: the Case of Young Lithuanian Men

Abstract

Analyzing 30 semi-structured interviews with 19-34-year-old Lithuanian men, the article focuses on the interconnection of these men's scripts of masculinity, good life and familial intentions. Despite differences in class, education, sexual orientation, age and physical ability, most men adhered to the traditional masculinity script based on very normative male ideals and practices. In this script prevalent in the Lithuanian society, a man was manly, strong, economically secure, career-minded and successful breadwinner for his family. A significantly smaller part of the interviewed men were proponents of the second masculine script of a 'sensitive new age man' based on an egalitarian philosophy of caring, support and respect for others. However, both traditional and 'dissident' masculinity scripts remained equally linked to the reproduction of a traditional fantasy of family life/partnership and childbearing. Thus, it is possible to conclude that the choice of different masculinity scripts does not significantly influence the respondents' familial intentions and visions of good life.

Individual and contextual determinants of male suicide in the post‐communist region: The case of Lithuania

“…In addition to the effects of historical traumas and social transformations that have affected both older and younger cohorts, it is clear that overall poor mental health, psychosocial factors and certain cultural characteristics have contributed to the excess suicide among Lithuanian males, especially in rural areas. Among these factors are the persistence in Lithuania of a masculinity culture and of traditional gender role models (Tereškinas, 2014). The strong stigmatisation of suicide and mental health problems may also contribute to this unfavourable cultural context by causing people to avoid seeking help (Skruibis, Gelezelyte, & Dadašev, 2015).…”

Why (not) suicide: Habitus in hysteresis and the space of possibles

“…In light of this, it could be argued that Lithuanian society is highly regulated in terms of clear and rigid cultural directives and few alternative scripts. Tereškinas (2014), for instance, demonstrates the salience of traditional masculinity norms even among the younger generations that might be expected to be more flexible. He also finds that, despite their masculinity scripts, all of these men embody a traditional imaginary of family life and childbearing.…”

The burden of mental health-related mortality in the Baltic States in 2007-2018

“…For example, some studies explain poor mental health status by highlighting the role of historical traumas and consequences of social transformations [ 13 , 14 ]. Furthermore, a persisting masculinity culture and traditional gender role models [ 16 ], stigmatisation of mental health problems [ 17 ], large share of the prison population and population living in big institutional social care homes may also have contributed to the unfavourable mental health situation in the Lithuanian population [ 15 ]. The mental health system has been reliant on excessive institutionalization and medicalization since the Soviet era in Lithuania [ 15 ].…”