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Theorizing a Necessary Link: Masculinity and Social Sustainability in African Contexts

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The Palgrave Handbook of African Men and Masculinities

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Abstract

This chapter elucidates the significance of analysing the ideological constitution of masculinities with an aim of theoretically enriching critical engagements in social sustainability debates. For methodological consideration, the chapter applies a theoretical approach that mainly draws from available studies in the fields of men and masculinity and sustainability. In order to achieve this, the chapter evolves in four sections. First, I present a brief framing of gender in the sustainability discourse. Second, I highlight the integral task of integrating men and masculinity in the ongoing sustainability debate. Third, possible contours of an ideological framing in theorizing masculinity are discussed. The premise of the chapter is that the link between men, masculinity and social sustainability in African contexts is made apparent by analysing ideological constitution of masculinities. This is therefore useful in conceptualizing masculinity for sustainability discourse. In the final section of the chapter, I discuss some implications of analysing ideological constitution of masculinity, arguing for the need to apply monologic and dialogic notions as alternative concepts for conceptualizing masculinities for social sustainability discourse.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    Kennedy Owino

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  1. Kennedy Owino
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Correspondence to Kennedy Owino .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Ezra Chitando

  2. Dept. of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Obert Bernard Mlambo

  3. Dept. of Anthropology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

    Sakhumzi Mfecane

  4. Psychology Dept., Stellensbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Kopano Ratele

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Owino, K. (2024). Theorizing a Necessary Link: Masculinity and Social Sustainability in African Contexts. In: Chitando, E., Mlambo, O.B., Mfecane, S., Ratele, K. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of African Men and Masculinities. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49167-2_46

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49167-2_46

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