New Masculinity in Prison
Hypermasculinity in prison might be replaced by a softer variation, which also includes vulnerability
A large part of the research conducted on masculinity in prison focuses on the hypermasculine atmosphere in detention facilities, which encourages aggression and concealment of vulnerability. However, new research points to a more varied ideal of masculinity in that environment. The research of Dr. Keren Gueta, Sharon Gamliel and Prof. Natti Ronel, of the Bar-Ilan Department of Criminology, examines how convicts understand and structure masculinity in a way that makes room for ‘softer’ components.
As part of the Bar-Ilan research, 14 interviews were held with convicts who took part in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) encounters. The research was analyzed in a phenomenological commentary approach and showed that the ideals of hypermasculinity hindered participants from applying the principles of the NA (for instance, admitting helplessness) and threatened their masculine identity.
The convicts attempted to deal with threats made to their masculinity through three conversational strategies: first, they claimed hegemonic masculinity – presenting themselves as actively pragmatic and fending off any criticism for addressing a higher power, realizing rehabilitation as a masculine action and the people who use drugs as ‘other’. Secondly, they re-formulated the idea of masculinity by taking on a concept that includes feminine characteristics such as caring and vulnerability, which fit their experiences during NA encounters. Thirdly, they rejected their former ideologies and stigmatized hypermasculinity by referring to NA as a supportive space, with an equal relationship between convicts and trust with the prison staff.
The research, focusing on the dynamics of stigma, marginalization and masculinity, offers new directions on the topic of masculinity and rehabilitative intervention in prison. The research teaches us that advancing a more encompassing masculinity in prisons will contribute to rehabilitation and decrease homophobia and misogyny in that environment, and that the NA encounters might contribute to that. With that being said, the findings raise suspicions that other masculine components might manifest, such as branding ‘others’ or ignoring the connection between gender and additional forces that cause marginalization.
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