The bridge to manhood : how the masculine self is affected by the father-son relationship

• Main Author: Evans, Tony
• Other Authors: Salm, Anne Marie ; Moran, Jamie ; Worrell, Marcia
• Published: University of Roehampton 2009
• Subjects: 306.874
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.588672

This study explores how men experience the construction of the masculine self as influenced by the father-son relationship. It employs a mixed methodology using Hollway and Jefferson’s Free Association Narrative Interview model, Farough’s Photo-Ethnographic Interviewing technique and a data analysis informed by Foucauldian concepts, to explore the father-son dynamics of twenty male participants and their subsequent effect on the adoption of masculine subject positions and beliefs. The mixed method design accesses the intrapersonal, interpersonal and wider social fields, in which the gendered self is built, performed and negotiated. The results find that the father-son relationship is a key factor in shaping the masculine self and set out a masculinity spectrum of male positions adopted (eg. thug, dominator position; laddish bravado position; traditional provider emotionally detached; good provider emotionally holding; effeminate male weakling position). The spectrum can apply equally to a man’s style of “doing maleness” and to a man’s style of fathering. Men are not tied exclusively to one spectrum position. Most will express aspects of different positions depending on context, company and age. Most men tend to move in a rightward direction (ie. from more traditional rigid or hegemonic male styles towards more emotionally open styles) on the spectrum as they grow older. However, men (and their fathers) will tend to have a dominant style of masculinity and the gaps between their relative spectrum positions (or masculinity subject positions) are unpacked and analysed in terms of what such gaps may mean for their relationship and ways of doing maleness. Implications for working with men in counselling psychology practice are considered, as are suggestions for future research work in this field.