Construction of masculinities among men aged 85 and older in the north of Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to analyse the construction of masculinities among men aged 85 and older.


BACKGROUND
All societies have a gender order, constructed from multiple ideas of what is seen as feminine and masculine. As the group of men aged 85 and older is increasing in size and their demand for care will increase, we must recognize the importance of studying these men and various discourses of masculinities.


METHODS
Qualitative explorative.


METHODS
Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse thematic narratives. Masculinity theories provided the point of departure for the analysis.


RESULTS
The analysis coalesced into three masculinities. 'Being in the male centre', developed from subthemes as: taking pride in one's work and economic situation; being in the centre in relation to others; regarding women as sexual objects; and belonging to a select group. 'Striving to maintain the male facade' developed from subthemes as: emphasizing 'important' connections; having feelings of loss; striving to maintain old norms and rejecting the fact of being old. 'Being related' was formulated from subthemes as: feeling at home with domestic duties; being concerned; accepting one's own aging; and reflecting on life.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates the importance of being aware of the existence of multiple masculinities, in contrast to the generally unproblematic and unsubtle particular healthcare approaches which consider men as simply belonging to one masculinity. Relevance to clinical practice. Diverse masculinities probably affect encounters between men and healthcare providers and others who work with an older population and therefore our results are of importance in a caring context.
Aléx
Lena
L
Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. lena.alex@nurs.umu.se
Hammarström
Anne
A
Norberg
Astrid
A
Lundman
Berit
B
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology*; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology