The Affective Intensities of Masculinity in Shaping Gendered Experience : From Little Boys, Big Boys Grow

This book tells a story of masculinity through the experiences of one boy, ‘Adam’. From four different studies and time periods, it tracks moments of significance in his life over a period of 20 years. These moments highlight the ways in which Adam is both drawn towards and away from a hegemonic masculinity of physical toughness, domination, competition and an opposition to ‘the feminine’. The book is set against the backdrop of a long history of contentious gender politics in Australia and globally but particularly responds to the renewed attention to the social construction of masculinities in the current #MeToo climate. Against this backdrop, nuanced and longitudinal accounts of boys’ and men’s experiences of masculinity are significant because they can offer insight into the complex bodily, social, economic, and historical forces that configure masculinities. Such understandings are important in our endeavours as those who educate, support and work with boys and men to transformgender inequalities. Acknowledgements About This Book Contents About the Author 1 From Little Boys, Big Boys Grow Introduction Understanding Masculinities: Theories of Affect Masculinities and Physical Power Masculinities and Peer Culture Masculinities and the Othering of Females and ‘the Feminine’ Accounting for Change Over Time Research Contexts and Processes Overview of the Chapters Chapter 2: Masculinities and Physical Power Chapter 3: Masculinities and Peer Culture Chapter 4: Masculinities and the Othering of Females and ‘the Feminine’ Chapter 5: The Affective Intensities of Masculinity in Shaping Gendered Experience References 2 Masculinities and Physical Power Introduction Configuring Patterns: Family Configuring Patterns: Schooling Conclusion References 3 Masculinities and Peer Culture Introduction Configuring Patterns: Peer Relations Configuring Patterns: Sporting Culture Conclusion References 4 Masculinities and the Othering of Females and ‘the Feminine’ Introduction Configuring Patterns: Adam as a Young Boy Configuring Patterns—Adam as an Adult Conclusion References 5 The Affective Intensities of Masculinity in Shaping Gendered Experience Introduction The Affective Intensities of Hegemonic Masculinities Masculinities and Physical Power Masculinities and Peer Culture Masculinities and the Othering of Females and ‘the Feminine’ Conclusion References This book tells a story of masculinity through the experiences of one boy, Adam. From four different studies and time periods, it tracks moments of significance in his life over a period of 20 years. These moments highlight the ways in which Adam is both drawn towards and away from a hegemonic masculinity of physical toughness, domination, competition and an opposition to the feminine. The book is set against the backdrop of a long history of contentious gender politics in Australia and globally but particularly responds to the renewed attention to the social construction of masculinities in the current #MeToo climate. Against this backdrop, nuanced and longitudinal accounts of boys' and men's experiences of masculinity are significant because they can offer insight into the complex bodily, social, economic, and historical forces that configure masculinities. Such understandings are important in our endeavours as those who educate, support and work with boys and men to transform gender inequalities