Performative Masculinity: Exploring performances of Syrian men’s masculinity in Norway

Abstract

Masculinity is a concept that varies over time, culture, intra-psychically, and is regarded differently in the different communities that belong to different cultures. However, refugee men’s masculinity and understanding regarding how it is pertinent to employment continue to be an under-explored area of research. This exploratory study aims to examine the interaction between men’s masculinity and (i) the community and (ii) the employment in their new country. This thesis aims to highlight how masculinity as an identity is renegotiated as a person flees from one country to another, and this identity is performed in the new culture in the new host community, Norway. In qualitative research, new insights are generated by exploring participants' descriptions of their experiences. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with six Syrian male refugees who came to Norway after 2015, was performed. The results indicate that the participants are performing or displaying a type of masculinity as an act to fit in their new community. It is concluded that refugee men experience diverse challenges both in the community and in the employment sector. This has implications for both refugee men and the system in Norway, namely how the system can facilitate expression of identity and appreciate refugee men experiences