Exploring the Rural Construction of Masculinity and Boys’ Engagement with Schooling

This thesis investigates the construction of masculinities for a group of rural boys in one secondary school in South Western Ontario. It looks specifically at how the construction of gender, specifically masculinity, affects the boys\u27 engagement with schooling. The purpose of this study was to document and develop an awareness into how boys\u27 perceive their own masculinities and how these perceptions influence their engagement with schooling at one particular site. Six grade ten male students participated in semi-structured interviews providing insight into the rural construction of masculinity and its influence on schooling. The research indicates that male students construct and produce a dominant form of masculinity. The findings also highlight that boys who engage with activities associated with hegemonic masculinity are able to dominate other students and police the inappropriate male behaviour of others. This stereotypical behaviour negatively influences boys\u27 engagement with schooling. This study confirms the usefulness o f conducting research involving rural students in order to provide a voice for these boys. It is also necessary acquire insight into how masculinity is constructed in a rural area so educators can gain valuable insight into how masculinities affect boys\u27 engagement with schooling