Tough, sensitive and sincere

How Adolescent Boys Manage Masculinities and Emotions

Bibliographic Data

ID5833288
AuthorsEva Randell (0000-0003-0106-2839, Umeå University, corresponding author), Lars Jerdén (0000-0001-6549-1611, Umeå University), Anders Öhman (0000-0003-3083-106X, Umeå University), Ann Öhman (Umeå University), Bengt Starrin (Karlstad University), Renée Flacking (0000-0002-4013-1553, Umeå University)
Year2015
Volume21
Issue4
Pages486-498
Publication date2015-11-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Adolescence and Youth (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0267-3843 • E-ISSN: 2164-4527
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02673843.2015.1106414
OpenAlexW2174258727
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited58

This study aimed to explore adolescent boys' views of masculinity and emotion management and their potential effects on well-being. Interviews with 33 adolescent boys aged 16-17 years in Sweden were analysed using grounded theory. We found two main categories of masculine conceptions in adolescent boys: gender-normative masculinity with emphasis on group-based values, and non-gender-normative masculinity based on personal values. Gender-normative masculinity comprised two seemingly opposite emotional masculinity orientations, one towards toughness and the other towards sensitivity, both of which were highly influenced by contextual and situational group norms and demands, despite their expressions contrasting each other. Non-gender-normative masculinity included an orientation towards sincerity emphasising the personal values of the boys; emotions were expressed more independently of peer group norms. Our findings suggest that different masculinities and the expression of emotions are strongly intertwined and that managing emotions is vital for well-being

Situational ethics · Early Childhood Education and Development · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media

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