Unmasking Masculinity: A Qualitative Study of Men's Experiences and Understandings of Intimacy
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Intimacy is an important aspect of human health and experience. However, heterosexual men’s experiences and understandings of intimacy continue to be an under-explored area of research. This exploratory study sought to investigate how heterosexual men experience and understand intimacy in their lives. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 11 self-identified heterosexual men between the ages of 23 and 66 was conducted. Five themes are presented in the results: (1) intimacy exists in particular relationships for men; (2) intimacy is a conscious effort for men; (3) men’s understandings of what intimacy is change over time; (4) men experience themselves as different from their learned understandings of masculinity; and (5) men consistently confront social barriers that make practicing intimacy difficult. It is concluded that men experience, understand, and practice intimacy in multiple relationships despite experiencing intimacy as difficult to practice.
Author: Tristan Price
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2537432461