Cambios en los significados de la masculinidad en hombres del sur de Chile / Changes in the meaning of masculinity in men of southern Chile

RESUMEN

Resumen En América Latina, los estudios sobre masculinidades e intervención con hombres, desarrollados en las últimas décadas, han buscado conocer las subjetividades y prácticas, así como los modelos y mandatos de la masculinidad, visibilizando la participación de los hombres en algunas desigualdades de género (Aguayo y Nascimento, 2016; Olavarría, 2017). Si bien estos estudios muestran una evolución en el modelo tradicional de masculinidad, en América Latina, y en especial en Chile, existen brechas de conocimiento acerca de las diferencias en las representaciones de la masculinidad en distintas generaciones y contextos sociales (Aguayo y Nascimento, 2016). El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir los significados de la masculinidad en hombres del sur de Chile, comparando generaciones y niveles socioeconómicos. Se utilizó un diseño de casos múltiples; la muestra estuvo constituida por jóvenes (18 a 24 años) y adultos medios (45-69 años) distribuidos en tres niveles socioeconómicos. Se desarrollaron seis grupos de discusión. Para el análisis de la información se llevó a cabo un primer nivel de codificación abierta, estableciendo unidades de significado. Estas unidades fueron transformadas por medio de un proceso inductivo en categorías, las cuales fueron comparadas para identificar similitudes, diferencias y posibles vínculos entre ellas. Se encontraron coincidencias y diferencias en los significados asociados a la masculinidad, en función de la edad y del nivel socioeconómico. Las coincidencias en función de la edad se dieron principalmente en las categorías Identidad y Trabajo, y las mayores diferencias en el núcleo Sexualidad, mientras que en función del nivel socioeconómico la mayor diferencia estuvo en la categoría Trabajo.

ABSTRACT

Abstract In Latin America, studies on masculinities and intervention with men developed in recent decades have sought to know the subjectivities and practices, as well as the models and mandates of masculinity, making visible the participation of men in some gender inequalities (Aguayo y Nascimento, 2016; Olavarría, 2017). Although these studies show an evolution in the traditional model of masculinity, in Latin America and in Chile, there are knowledge gaps about differences in the representations of masculinity in different generations and social contexts (Aguayo y Nascimento, 2016). The purpose of this study was describing the meanings of masculinity in men from southern Chile, comparing generations and socioeconomic levels. A multiple case design was used, sample consisted of 44 Chilean men, young men between 18 and 25 years, and middle adults between 45-69 years, distributed in 3 socioeconomic levels, high, medium and low. Six discussion groups were developed around a set of guiding questions, built by the authors, in relation to the mandates of masculinity identity referred to the characteristics that the participants consider essential to masculinity, sexuality, paid work and paternity. Information obtained was transcribed the first level of open coding was then carried out, which consisted in selecting units of meaning which emerged from the answers to the guiding questions. These units, consisting of paragraphs, were transformed into categories by an inductive process, each category being given a code representing its meaning. The second level of coding -at a greater level of abstraction- consisted in comparing the categories, identifying similarities, differences and possible links between them. Results, in the first nucleus, Identity, arise as main categories Concept in Transition, Difficulty of Being Men, Action-Oriented, Restriction in the Expression of Emotions, Integrity, Masculinity given by the Biological Condition. In the second nucleus Work Provide Identity Trait of Masculinity, Facilitator of Independence, Source of Self-Realization and Dignification, Obstacle for the Satisfaction of Other Needs, Labor Discrimination towards Women. In the third nucleus, Sexuality, categories differentiated by age, in young people emerge Acceptance of Homosexuality, Stereotypes in Sexual Behavior and Increase in Sexual Demands. In adults Divergences against the Mandate of Heterosexuality and in both groups Sexual Behavior in Transition. On the other hand, coincidences and differences were found in the meanings associated with masculinity, depending on age and socioeconomic status. The coincidences in the Identity nucleus, realize that men, regardless of their age or socioeconomic condition, experience a situation of accelerated change in their roles, which affects them to a greater or lesser extent, which is experienced by the majority of young people as a possibility of transcending stereotypes, allowing them greater degrees of freedom. Regarding the core Work, however, the broad coincidence in all groups in relation to the mandate of being a provider, certain nuances are appreciated, for adults it is an internal mandate, a duty of masculinity, while for young people it seems respond to an external social demand, which accounts for a masculinity in transition. The differences, by age range were the nucleus Sexuality, where young people have more openness to address their own sexuality and more inclusive behaviors against homosexuality. Differences relating socioeconomic level occurred in the nucleus Work between young people and adults. If in the young people of high and medium socioeconomic level, work implies the possibility of becoming independent, for youngsters of low socioeconomic level, it also means taking care of their parents, responding to a duty of reciprocity. In adults of low socioeconomic level, unlike those in the medium and high level, the centrality and physical requirement of work displaces others needs as health care and sexual life.