'No longer bulletproof' : Aotearoa/New Zealand men discuss aging and masculinity : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
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Date
2020
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Massey University
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Abstract
Research on men has proliferated within in recent decades. However, much of this
research has focussed on younger masculinities. While research on older men has also
increased in recent years, there remains a lack of research on the ways in which masculinities
are impacted by aging – particularly within a A/NZ context. This study took a social
constructionist approach to exploring the ways in which A/NZ men make sense of masculinity
as they age. Twenty-six men between the ages of 65 and 90 were interviewed and interviews
were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Analysis revealed
a range of themes related to the operations of gendered power such as the invisibility of
masculinity, egalitarianism, and a backlash against feminists. The men also reiterated dominant
themes related to active aging, enjoyment, disengagement and decline, provision, masculinity
as limiting, and increases in wisdom and insight. The ways in which themes of masculinity
intersected with those related to aging were discussed with participants. The themes were
related to theories of gender as performance, hegemonic masculinity, masculine capital, and
selective optimisation and compensation. Implications, limitations, and suggested future
directions are also discussed.
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Keywords
Older men, New Zealand, Social conditions, Psychology, Attitudes, Aging, Social aspects, Masculinity