Masculinities in the Euro-Mediterranean area is the topic of the next research seminar of RUSEMENG.

Male chauvinism does not only provide stereotyped roles for women. Men are also the object of a gender-based categorization, which indicates what kind of behavior, oral and physical languages, tastes and practices, men should have, usually related to concepts such power or force. That is what we call ‘masculinities’.

The existence of these masculinities involves a double discrimination. On the one hand, this sexist system leaves men who do not fit with the social norms ascribed to male subject in a marginalized situation. This implies a choice among men: either they are relegated from society because of their conduct -which is rather assigned to women-, or they integrate the roles of patriarchal system by renouncing a significant part of behavior and feelings intrinsic to human beings. On the other hand, the daily exercise of these masculinities is only the perpetuation of a sexist oppression against women, which discriminates and overshadows women under the men’s abuse of power.

In order to analyze the mechanisms of deconstruction of masculinities, the seminar will address the following issues: “normalizing, breaking, and performing masculinities”, through a multidisciplinary approach (political, historical and from the point of view of literary and artistic representations). The meeting will gather academics, young researchers and civil society actors next 29th and 30th June 2017 in Aix en Provence, France.

The seminar is organized by the Euro-Mediterranean University and Scientific Network on Gender and Women (RUSEMEG) within the framework of the Axis 1 "Strengthening the capacities of the gender equality actors" of the project “Women for the future in the Mediterranean”, funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development (MAEDI). It is in synergy with the mission of the Foundation and with the project "Developing Women’s Empowerment" labelled by the Union for the Mediterranean.

You will find attached to this page a text presenting the seminar, the program and a bibliography in French.