Masculinity Studies in the Middle East and North Africa

Summary, in English

Masculinity studies – sometimes called men’s studies, or studies on men and masculinities – is an interdisciplinary field of studies that critically examines the social, cultural, and historical constructions of masculinities. Scholars in this field often seek to deconstruct traditional notions of masculinity and explore how they intersect with issues of power, identity, and social norms. The field covers diverse topics such as the impact of media representations on gender performance and masculine ideals, the influence of socioeconomic factors on men's experiences, and the evolving roles of men in contemporary society. By challenging stereotypes and fostering a nuanced understanding of masculinities – often pluralized to indicate that there is not a one unified mode of masculinity – scholars in this field contribute to broader conversations on gender equality and societal transformation. In the context of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), studies on men and masculinities have rapidly grown in popularity in the 21st century, particularly since the uprisings of 2010-2011, with similar focus on issues such as gender relations, power, societal transformations, identity, and norms. Masculinity studies scholars working on the MENA region are also often motivated by a desire to counter dominant narratives and stereotypical representations of Middle Eastern men in general, and Muslim men in particular.
This entry begins by outlining the development of the field outside of the MENA context and its introduction and application in the MENA context. It then gives an overview of key theories and concepts of the field, as well as their critiques and adaptations by scholars of the Middle East and North Africa. Lastly, this entry details some key areas of focus and limitations, with particular attention paid to the use of masculinity studies to understand political mobilization in the region.

• Författare: Joel W. Abdelmoez; Yahia Saleh
• Redaktör: Lia Roberts
• Avdelning/ar: Statsvetenskapliga institutionen; Centrum för Mellanösternstudier (CMES); MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World
• Publiceringsår: 2025-09
• Språk: Engelska
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: SAGE International Encyclopedia of Politics and Gender
• Dokumenttyp: Del av eller Kapitel i bok
• Förlag: SAGE Publications
• Ämne: Political Science (excluding Peace and Conflict Studies); Gender Studies
• Nyckelord: men and masculinities; gender politics; Middle East and North Africa (MENA); Arab Spring
• Aktiv: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISBN: 9781071918487