MASCULINITIY IN THE PROVINCIAL CITY: RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE RESULTS OF THE PROJECT «FORMING OF THE MASCULINITY IN THE RUSSIAN PROVINCIAL CITY: RESEARCH AND CORRECTION» WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE CANADIAN GENDER EQUALITY FUND

The main goals of the project  To reveal the stereotyped notions of students, school pupils and teachers concerning masculinity  To define ways of transmission and reproduction of these stereotypes  To determine the adequacy of traditional notions of masculinity to personal aspirations and life purposes of the youth  To correct gender socialization of pupils and students who are in the process of forming their own gender identity  Gender enlightenment of the local community

Working hypothesis  Construction of masculinity takes different ways in different groups of pupils and students  This process differs in technical and humanitarian educational institutions

Target groups:  Students of humanitarian educational institutions (Ivanovo State University, Russian State University of Trade and Economic)  Students of technical institution (Ivanovo State Energy University)  Senior pupils of two schools

METHODOLOGY  QUESTIONNAIRES  FOCUS-GROUPS  DEPTH INTERVIEW  SEMINARS&TRAININGS

Main factors that influenced respondents’ notions of masculinity FFFFAMILY FFFFRIENDS MMMMASS MEDIA

Notions of the ideal man MODERN DOMINANT MASCULINITY responsibility, successfulness, intelligence leadership, rigidity, adherence to principles persistence, luck

THE MOST DEMANDED MALE QUALITIES:  Intelligence – 34%  Responsibility – 23%  Manliness – 18%  Power – 17%  Sense of humour – 17%  Sociability – 15%  Efficiency – 15%  Determination – 15%  Kindness – 13%  Financial security – 12%  Honesty – 12%

Hierarchy of values in general Friends (61%) Family (57%) Love (54%) Prosperity (44%) Intellectual development (39%) Career (33%) Peace of mind (27%) Interesting job (22%) Money (15%) Sex (14%) Children (6%) Power (6 %) men Love (41 %) Prosperity (41 %) Career (37 %) Intellectual development (35 %) women Love (67%) Family (58%) Friends (54%)

GENDER ROLES IN FAMILY Who must be the leader in the family? 61% 1% 38% 1. MAN 2. WOMAN 3. IT DEPENDS Who must earn more? 1% 67% 32% 1. woman 2. man 3. it doesn’t matter

TYPES OF MASCULINITY IN RUSSIAN PROVINCIAL CITY  “Post-soviet masculinity”  “Business masculinity”  “Rural masculinity”  “Ethnic masculinity”

Problems of socialization  It is difficult to correspond with the ideal  Personal qualities of respondents conflict with the masculine standard  Conflict with the standard leads to the psychological problems and crisis in personal relations

PROJECT’S IMPACT  Harmonious self-feeling  Solution of personal problems (family, friends, lovers)  Gender awareness  Stimulation of the creative abilities

IVANOVO CENTRE FOR GENDER STUDIES