Negotiating masculinities as African students at Northern Arizona University

Kwarteng, Osei Akoto (2023) Negotiating masculinities as African students at Northern Arizona University. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

Text kwarteng_2023_negotiating_masculinities_as_african_students_northern_a.pdf - Published Version Download (464kB)

Abstract

This study explores the experiences and perceptions of African students at an American university, focusing on their experiences of negotiating their masculinities in their new cultural context. In this study, the objective was to explore African students’ expectations of being a man both in their home countries and in the US, and how they negotiate their masculinities at Northern Arizona University (NAU).This study assumes that masculinity is a social construct, and among African graduate students at NAU, additional culturally specific ideologies may influence the way they perceive their identity and experiences of being a man, and also the means by which they negotiate their masculinities. The study adopted purposive sampling and semi-structured, in-depth interviewing in selecting and interviewing participants. Participants were male African students pursuing a graduate degree program at NAU who had successfully completed a semester on campus. Specifically, 10 participants were sampled from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Ghana. The study explored expectations of being a man and masculinities among African graduate students at NAU. The study found that among participants, expectations of being a man were responsibilities, head of family/household, and financial obligations. Participants' understanding of masculinity emphasized the male genitalia, being in charge, and emotional restriction. In the US, participants believed that norms of masculinity primarily relate to shared responsibility and freedom of gender expression. Also, respect for cultural differences, avoiding interactions, and cultural association with other African men were stances that characterize mechanisms participants adopt in negotiating their masculinities.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	African masculinities; African college students; Expectations; International students; Negotiating masculinities; USA
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Anthropology
Date Deposited:	15 May 2025 22:22
Last Modified:	15 May 2025 22:22
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6148

Actions (login required)

IR Staff Record View

Downloads