Is masculinity in crisis? : a sociological analysis of men who joined the men’s rights movement in Malta

Abstract

By adopting a qualitative/interpretive approach, the main objective of this dissertation is to sociologically analyse life experiences of men who joined the Men’s Rights Movement (MRM) in Malta. This was carried out by using a particular qualitative method, namely, the life-history interview method, in the form of in-depth face to face interviews with seven members of this organisation. The recruitment of this study was based on snowball sampling through convenience sampling. In this regard, this study is based on three main research questions which represent the main themes of this thesis. These include, why do men join the MRM in Malta? (1), do men who join the MRM perceive a ‘crisis of masculinity’? (2), do men who join the MRM overcome the ‘problem of silence’? (3). Through sociological theories about the crisis of masculinity, the major conclusion which emerged from the life histories of these men is that they joined this movement because they did perceive a crisis of masculinity. Thus, this contributes to the fact that males, in spite of male dominance in society, can also be victims of negative experiences. Despite this, it is important to note that there were participants who had never perceive a crisis of masculinity. However, they believe in the ideology of the movement, and joined to be helpful to those men who can be victims. Through a sociological theory about the problem of silence in man, another important conclusion is that those members who have experienced crisis in their life, responded to these crisis by being reflexive and overcoming the problem of silence. However, since this organisation is a small institution in Malta, and since there are not enough support groups that can help men in negative situations, it is also reflected that the problem of silence can remain a common characteristic in man.