Understanding autonomy and relationality in men's lives

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Gender Studies
• Psychology

Background:

• Masculinities scholarship often links autonomy to hegemonic ideals like independence and self-sufficiency.
• Existing literature simplifies the concept of autonomy within relational conceptualizations of masculinities.
• Recent scholarship advises against categorizing men by masculinity typologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a more in-depth conceptual treatment of autonomy in relation to masculinities.
• To explore the manifestation of masculine autonomy and relationality in men's lives, drawing on feminist theories.
• To examine how the discourse of masculine autonomy impacts men's intimacy, connection, care, and gendered hierarchies.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing focus groups with 101 men in Victoria, Australia.
• Data collection focused on men's drinking practices to explore broader issues of autonomy and relationality.
• Analysis informed by feminist theorizations of autonomy and relationality.

Main Results:

• Masculine autonomy functions as a harmful discourse that impedes men's capacity for intimacy, connection, and care.
• The ideal of masculine autonomy is shown to be unattainable, as men are inherently relationally situated.
• Men's interdependence is highlighted as a practical reality, contrasting with the discursive ideal of autonomy.
• The study reveals how the discourse of masculine autonomy reproduces gendered hierarchies, disproportionately burdening women and marginalized men with care work.

Conclusions:

• Acknowledging men's relational embeddedness and interdependence can foster greater care, intimacy, and relationality.
• Challenging the ideal of masculine autonomy offers potential for ameliorating gendered inequalities in care work.
• Further scholarly attention to autonomy in men's lives is needed beyond specific practices like drinking, with relevance for industrialized nations.