Sticky Masculinity

Abstract

Despite the consolidation of ''critical studies on men'' or ''masculinity studies'' in recent years, critics have pointed to a kind of feminist theory deficit due to the relative lack of engagement with contemporary developments of feminist theory. By focusing on poststructuralist feminist and feminist phenomenological accounts of subjectivity, this article seeks to contribute to the emerging body of work that brings such theories into critical studies on men. I argue that making use of these perspectives is not only a matter of replacing dominant theories, but rather offers possibilities for creative rereading of earlier work on masculinity, which may not have been sufficiently appreciated from the viewpoint of dominant structural perspectives. My argument proceeds through a reading of John Stoltenberg as a post-structuralist feminist, and a reading of Victor Seidler as a feminist phenomenologist. I suggest that the study of masculinity can benefit from both traditions, and as an example I consider Jonathan Salisbury's and David Jackson's work on ''boys' work.'' Drawing in particular on Sara Ahmed's innovative combination of poststructuralism and phenomenology, I suggest an understanding of masculinity as ''sticky.''

Reciprocity, Autonomy, and Vulnerability in Men’s Experiences of Informal Cancer Care

“…Ungerson, 1987). Insights generated by this work have been mobilized within various strands of “masculinities studies” and “critical studies on men and masculinities” (see Berggren, 2014; Elliott, 2016; Robertson, Williams, & Oliffe, 2016; Scambor, Schwerma, & Abril, 2005). Nevertheless, sociological investigations into the lived experiences of male informal carers, particularly in the context of ill-health, remain few (though see Brandth & Kvande, 1998; Emslie et al, 2009; Robinson et al, 2014).…”

A Patterns of Masculinities in Discourse of Reports Assessing Condition of Polish Startups Organisations

“…The literature on masculinities patterns also includes descriptions of inclusive masculinity (Anderson 2009;Anderson & McCromack 2014, mosaic masculinity (Coles 2008), or sticky masculinity (Berggren 2014). The last of the enumerated patterns is based on the author's deliberations on the discursive construction, negotiating the position of the subject, and drawing the attention of CSMM on an important aspect reproduction of masculine.…”

Underdogs, rebels, and heroes

“…Violence, or being capable of violence, is particularly strongly linked to the performance of masculinity (Kimmel 1994;Kimmel and Mahler 2003;Kolnar 2005;Messerschmidt 2004). Having potential for violence is not deviant, but rather constitutes a central masculinity norm (Pascoe 2011;Berggren 2014). Nor is this a recent insight.…”

“…We apply an intersectional narrative analysis, which involves examining how social positions and power dimensions, such as sex/gender, ethnicity/race, social class, age, et cetera, interact with one another (Messerschmidt 1993;Pascoe 2012;Spector-Mersel 2006;Berggren 2014). Spector-Mersel (2006), Carlsson (2013) and Bäcklin, Carlsson and Pettersson (2013) show how what is regarded as masculine at a certain age may appear unmasculine at another.…”