Bringing together an array of interdisciplinary voices, this book examines the concept of masculinity from the perspectives of cultures around the world. The chapters deconstruct the history and politics of masculinities within the contexts of the cultures from which they have been developed, examining what makes a man who he is within his own culture. Highlighting manifestations of masculinity in countries including Jamaica, Turkey, Peru, Kenya, Australia, and China, the chapters grapple with topics including how masculinity is affected by war and conflict, defined in relation to race, ethnic ... More

Bringing together an array of interdisciplinary voices, this book examines the concept of masculinity from the perspectives of cultures around the world. The chapters deconstruct the history and politics of masculinities within the contexts of the cultures from which they have been developed, examining what makes a man who he is within his own culture. Highlighting manifestations of masculinity in countries including Jamaica, Turkey, Peru, Kenya, Australia, and China, the chapters grapple with topics including how masculinity is affected by war and conflict, defined in relation to race, ethnicity, and sexuality, and expressed in cultural activities such as sports or the cinema. The book follows three major themes: defining masculinity in the global sphere; mediated representations of masculinity; and the cultural practice of masculinity as both a local and global phenomenon. It looks at Jamaican masculinity; queer masculinities; the intersections of gender, ethnicity, nationalism, sexuality, and class interactions among Kurdish minorities; the representation of masculinity in Peru; the symbols of masculinity and political power within Kenyan society; the “warrior” in Native American communities; Aboriginal and Asian masculinities; and the inequalities of racial masculinities in sport.