Men and masculinities in qualitative research on vasectomy

Perpetuation or Progress

Bibliographic Data

ID3617893
AuthorsLucy Nicholas (0000-0001-7432-1526, Genders and Sexualities / Sociology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia), Christy E Newman (0000-0002-5482-2822, UNSW Sydney), Jessica R Botfield (0000-0001-6157-9739, UNSW Sydney), G Terry (0000-0002-6377-6194, Auckland University of Technology), Deborah Bateson (0000-0003-1035-7110, UNSW Sydney), Peter Aggleton (0000-0001-5966-4969, UNSW Sydney)
Year2021
Volume30
Issue2
Pages127-142
Publication date2021-05-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Sociology Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1446-1242 • E-ISSN: 1839-3551
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14461242.2020.1789486
OpenAlexW3041251986
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited42

Although vasectomy is a safe and highly effective method of contraception, uptake is variable globally, with scope for increased engagement in high income nations. Very little qualitative research has been published in recent years to explore men’s perspectives on vasectomy, which represents a key opportunity to better understand and strengthen men’s contribution to reproductive and contraception equality. This paper takes a scoping review approach to identify key findings from the small but important body of qualitative literature. Recent masculinities research argues that, despite some expansion in ways of being masculine, an underpinning ethos of masculinist dominance remains. Extant research on men’s attitudes to vasectomy supports this ambivalent picture, indicating that while there are extending repertoires of masculinity for men to draw on in making sense of vasectomy, many remain underpinned by masculinist narratives. There remains scope for education and health promotion ensuring vasectomy is viewed as a suitable and safe option by more men of reproductive age. Increased uptake of vasectomy may also help shift the longstanding social expectation that women take primary responsibility for contraceptive practices, challenging gender discourses on contraception

Ambivalence · Family planning · Masculinity · Population · Qualitative research · Reproductive health · Social science · Sociology · Vasectomy · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Male Reproductive Health Studies · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Demography · Gender Studies · Social Psychology