Masculinity norms can negatively impact men’s health
International men’s day is all about highlighting men’s health and contribution to society. One who has devoted a large part of her research career on doing just that is Katarzyna Wojnicka, associate professor in sociology, who has researched men and masculinity in various contexts – from fathers’ claiming their rights to isolated and lonely male migrants.
The latest wave of feminism, #MeToo, and the revival of more conservative and stereotypical male ideals have all pushed masculinity into the center of public debate in recent years.
– I think society is so interested in masculinity for a very simple reason: almost half of the population identifies as men, and those who don’t still have men in their lives whom they love, care for, rely on, respect, or are shaped by in one way or another. So, questions about men and masculinity affect everyone, not just men themselves, says Katarzyna Wojnicka.
I think society is so interested in masculinity for a very simple reason: almost half of the population identifies as men, and those who don’t still have men in their lives whom they love, care for, rely on, respect, or are shaped by in one way or another.
For her, the interest in the subject came early, during her master education in Poland where she grew up. When studying gender equality, she noticed the focus was almost exclusively on women, and it struck her how strange it was to talk about gender equality without ever mentioning men.
– At that time there was almost nothing in Poland on men and masculinities, just a few translated books from American, French or British contexts and no real studies focused on any Polish cases. So I decided to do my own fieldwork, she says.
During her PhD, she took the interest further while studying men’s social activism. Eventually she went on to create one of the first sociology of masculinity courses in Poland. As her work developed, she spent time in Germany and the UK, where the field was more established and there was more space to grow.
– Finally I came to Sweden, because when it comes to critical studies on men and masculinities, Scandinavia is simply the place to be in Europe.
Activist fathers and lonely migrant men
One of Katarzyna Wojnickas current research areas is fatherhood activism, as she leads a research project studying fathers’ groups and organisations across the EU. The aim of the project is trying to understand how these movements frame fatherhood, care, rights, and responsibility.
Another major research focus is men and masculinity in the context of migration and integration, again from a European perspective. Here she studies single migrant men and their experiences.
– I want to explain why different groups of migrant men follow different trajectories, and how class, ethnicity, legal status, religion, or age can shape their integration processes.
As a migrant herself, she says this research has made a deep impact on her personally.
Single migrant men are probably one of the loneliest groups I have ever worked with. Their emotional struggle is enormous, yet so often invisible.
– I thought I understood many aspects of migration, but this project really challenged me. I realised that single migrant men are probably one of the loneliest groups I have ever worked with. Their emotional struggle is enormous, yet so often invisible. Many of them carry the pressure to “make it,” to send money home, to appear strong, to hide any vulnerability and this combination creates an almost unbearable level of isolation, she says.
Norms that can have consequences for health
According to Katarzyna, masculinity norms can limit men’s emotional expression and access to support, constraints that become even harsher in the context of migration. Her research has convinced her of the importance of further research into men’s health, both emotional and physical.
Across the European Union, men live on average more than five years shorter than women. This is, in my view, the biggest “cost” of traditional masculinity.
– Physical health is deeply connected to emotional wellbeing, and many men have fewer tools for managing emotions, seeking help, or even recognising emotional distress. Add to this the enduring ideal of the “strong man” who doesn’t show weakness, avoids doctors, and tries to handle everything alone – the consequences are obvious. Across the European Union, men live on average more than five years shorter than women. This is, in my view, the biggest “cost” of traditional masculinity.
But masculinity is not static, Katarzyna emphasises. It is constantly evolving and we still have lot to learn when it comes to the experiences of men and boys.
– We’re living in a moment where old models of manhood are being questioned, new ones are emerging, and many people, men included, are trying to understand what it means to be a man today, she says.
Read more about Katarzyna Wojnicka.