Insecure Masculinity: On the Impact of Societal Ideals of Masculinity on Men's Mental Health in Jamaica

This book explores the relationship between childhood socialization, masculinities, and young men's coming of age in contemporary Jamaica, focusing on the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of their lifeworlds. It theorizes on the potential trajectories of being emotionally well or un-well in relation to gendered normative orders and highlights the importance of considering the separation of psyche, body, and environment in mental health research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 61 pages
Publication date: 28 October 2022
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

This comprehensive work delves into the intricate interplay between childhood socialization, masculinities, and the transition into adulthood for young men in contemporary Jamaica. The author skillfully uncovers the multifaceted social, cultural, and historical dimensions of young men's lives, offering insightful theories on the potential pathways of emotional well-being and/or un-wellness in relation to gendered normative orders of growing up and navigating relationships within and beyond kinship and courtship contexts. Drawing upon extensive fieldwork, the book elaborates on the extent to which social discourses of masculinity and personal experiences of mental health are reproduced in Jamaica. Faulhaber situates her research within contemporary psychological and medical anthropology, with a clear objective to transcend the often-separated realms of psyche, body, and environment prevalent in psychotherapy, psychiatry, and health sciences. Through critical and self-reflexive ethnography, the author embarks on an important endeavor to bridge this gap, employing the analysis of hegemonic narratives and discourses in media and popular culture. In contrast to other global mental health initiatives, this work emphasizes that the understanding of well-being, affliction, and suffering cannot be purely objective and measurable in terms of individual mental states. Instead, it encompasses a nuanced and multi-faceted perspective that recognizes the complex interplay between social, cultural, and individual factors. By exploring these dimensions, the book provides valuable insights into the experiences and challenges faced by young men in Jamaica, shedding light on the broader societal implications of gender, social norms, and mental health.

Weight: 112g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783658395896
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022