Writings on gender in the Middle East have tended to focus overwhelmingly on the status of women, on the rise of Islamist politics and veiling, and on the social construction of female identity. In the process issues of male identity in a region which has seen enormous social transformations over the past thirty years have been somewhat neglected. This book looks at the process by which stereotypical male identities get constructed, reproduced and contested in different parts of the Middle East.

This innovative book outlines the great complexity, variety and difference of male identities in Islamic societies. From the Taliban orphanages of Afghanistan to the cafés of Morocco, from the experience of couples at infertility clinics in Egypt to that of Iraqi conscripts, it shows how the masculine gender is constructed and negotiated in the Islamic Ummah. It goes far beyond the traditional notion that Islamic masculinities are inseparable from the control of women, and shows how the relationship between spirituality and masculinity is experienced quite differently from the prevailing Western norms. Drawing on sources ranging from modern Arabic literature to discussions of Muhammad‘s virility and Abraham‘s paternity, it portrays ways of being in the world that intertwine with non-Western conceptions of duty to the family, the state and the divine.

This is an exciting new edition of R.W. Connell s ground-breaking text, which has become a classic work on the nature and construction of masculine identity. Connell argues that there is not one masculinity, but many different masculinities, each associated with different positions of power. In a world gender order that continues to privilege men over women, but also raises difficult issues for men and boys, his account is more pertinent than ever before. In a substantial new introduction and conclusion, Connell discusses the development of masculinity studies in the ten years since the book s initial publication. He explores global gender relations, new theories, and practical uses of mascunlinity research. Looking to the future, his new concluding chapter addresses the politics of masculinities, and the implications of masculinity research for understanding current world issues. Against the backdrop of an increasingly divided world, dominated by neo-conservative politics, Connell s account highlights a series of compelling questions about the future of human society. This second edition of Connell s classic book will be essential reading for students taking courses on masculinities and gender studies, and will be of interest to students and scholars across the humanities and social sciences.

The handbook provides a broad view of masculinities primarily across the social sciences, but including important debates in areas of the humanities & natural sciences.

“a sharp and impressive book, providing an excellent advanced introductory text to the field. The book combines an impressive range of contextual and theoretical analysis, suggests new directions for research and provides a critically self-aware analysis of methodological issues.” Sociology * Are all men the same? * What do men want? * What makes a 'real man'? During the past decade, questions such as these have been raised across social and cultural arenas in local and global contexts. In response, this lively and engaging book adopts an international perspective and meets the current need for a comprehensive introduction to contemporary debates about men and masculinity. Through a broad critical review of masculinity studies, the book provides an original synthesis of main theories, key concepts and empirical research. Designed to provide an up-to-date guide to the field, it combines the traditional sociological enquiry into the family, work and education with contemporary concerns about multiple identities, globalization and late modernity. Written in a clear and engaging style, this text is essential reading for those studying men and masculinities across sociology, gender/sexuality studies, cultural studies, and politics, as well as anyone with a wider interest in the future of gender relations.

Men of the World will be seized upon by academics and activists facing up to the persistence, proliferation and transnationalization of patriarchies. - Cynthia Cockburn, City University, London and University of Warwick "This is an important, thought-provoking and incredibly timely book from one of the leading scholars in the field of men and masculinities. I cannot praise this wonderful book highly enough." - Richard Collier, Newcastle University "In this lively and engaging new book, Hearn looks back over nearly 40 years in feminist-framed studies of men and masculinities, and also forward to the futuristic scenarios through which gender power is currently evolving in transpatriarchal contexts." - Terrell Carver, University of Bristol What have men and globalization got to do with each other? How are men shaping and being shaped by globalization? How is globalization gendered? Why do many books on globalization fail to discuss gender relations? And why do many of those that do omit an explicit and developed analysis of men and gender relations? Men of the World brings together autobiographical reflections and memories on changing personal locations, contemporary empirical studies on major power processes, and up to date theoretical development. It considers the implications of debates on globalization for analyzing men, and the implications of debates on men and masculinities for globalization, transnational change and transnational patriarchies, as part of engagement and critique focused on the global North. Specific chapters address diverse transnational issues: transnational bodies and emotions in violence, violation and militarism; transnational organizing across states, big business, global finance, and activism; transnational movements in the environment, migration, and information and communication technologies and sexualities; and finally, challenges to the gender category of ′men′. An essential read for students and researchers of gender, sexuality, masculinity, intersectionality, and globalization across the social sciences. Jeff Hearn is Guest Faculty Research Professor, Gender Studies, Örebro University, Sweden; Professor of Management and Organization, Hanken School of Economics, Finland; Professor of Sociology, University of Huddersfield, UK.

This unique study spotlights the role of masculinity in Iranian history, linking masculinity to social and political developments.