Boys Don’t Cry? Masculinity and the Politics of Emotion

This chapter analyzes the close, though often neglected, relationship between masculinity and emotion in culture and history and, in doing so, the political potential of emotions to transform existing sociocultural relations and structures. To illustrate this, the chapter discusses the political potential of profeminist men’s emotions as part of the feminist struggle for social and gender equality. As a concrete example, focus is given to several existing “new fatherhood” models that pervade not only culture but also contemporary literature. Although patriarchal structures undeniably keep oppressing women—as well as some (homosexual) men—the fact that some men are actively and emotionally involved in feminism—as well as caring for their daughters and sons—seems to challenge monolithic views of masculinity as synonymous with patriarchy.