16 research outputs found
The Social Construction of Inter-Ethnic Marriages in the Greek Cypriot (GC) Republic of Cyprus: An Ethnographic Investigation of GC Male Marriages to Eastern European (EE) Females
Phallus, performance and power: Crisis of masculinity
Menâs sexual health concerns (SHCs) receive inadequate attention in research and health interventions. We explored meanings of SHCs, particularly sexual performance, in a qualitative study on male sexuality in Bangladesh. Five focus group discussions with key-informants and 50 urban and rural men were interviewed. Male superiority and power over women were proclaimed as ânormalâ and ânaturalâ. Menâs authoritative relations with women affect sexual acts where ârealâ men need to be sexually âpotentâ to demonstrate âsexual powerâ through sustained penile erections, penetration and prolonged sexual intercourse. Without adequate knowledge of human sexuality, men deem âsexâ as another agency of power, dominance and governance. Sexual performance with a large-sized penis symbolizes masculine power to control women. Narrowly focused penetrative male sexuality relies on performance, which destroys the quality of sexual life and equality in relationships. In a patriarchal society, the discrepancy of gender-biased socialization creates an essentialist framework of male sexuality where phallus, performance and power are at the core of menâs SHCs, constructed in the context of market economy and technology. Thus, SHCs, products of menâs threatened masculine power, need to be re-conceptualized before any effective health programs are designed