Call for Papers

Evolving Manhood: Reframing Masculinities in South Asia

Boyhood, brotherhood, and fatherhood are interconnected terms associated with the notion of manhood, representing different stages, roles, and aspects of a man’s life. Interlinking and influencing each other, these terms shape masculine identity and experience. The notion of masculinity becomes greatly complicated by moving across cultures, time spans, and geographical locations. A historical analysis of manhood can provide insight into the evolving nature of masculinity.In ancient Greece and Rome, physical courage, military prowess, and warrior spirit were considered masculine traits. In mediaeval Europe, chivalry, bravery, martial skills, loyalty, and protection of family and community were considered masculine characteristics. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the notion of masculinity was very much interlinked with industrialization and economic productivity, moral rectitude and respectability, patriarchal authority, and family leadership. In the early 20th century, stoicism, athleticism, physical competition, and professional achievement shaped the notions of manhood and masculinity. In the 21st century, the concept of masculinity has continued to evolve and expand. Emotional intelligence and vulnerability, embracing intersectionality and individuality, challenging stereotypes in family dynamics and shared co-parenting responsibilities, navigating digital identities, and embracing technology all have a direct influence on shaping masculinity in the 21st century.

Masculinity is a fluid and contested concept, perpetually shaped and reshaped by the interplay of power dynamics, social structures, and cultural norms. Its forms, patterns, and characteristics are constantly evolving in response to factors like time, culture, religion, caste, race, ethnicity, class, politics, and social mobilization. However, this evolution is not neutral, as it often reinforces and challenges existing power hierarchies. In South Asia, the dynamics of masculinity are particularly complex, reflecting the region's unique cultural, historical, and political contexts. Feminist and LGBTQA+ movements are confronting traditional patriarchal norms, creating new sites of struggle and transformation due to the forces of modernization, urbanisation, and globalisation. This edited volume seeks to critically examine the historically entrenched and complexly intertwined understandings of gender and masculinity in South Asia, interrogating the ways in which patriarchal power structures, social hierarchies, caste, ethnicity, race, migration, and vulnerability have shaped and continue to shape masculine identities, performances, and experiences.It also aims at expanding and adding complexity to existing analyses of masculinity from variety of perspectives.

Proposals of contributions on masculinities in South Asia that engage and justify the purpose of this volume are welcome on any of the following themes, though not excluding other topics:

Hegemonic Masculinity

Complicit Masculinities

Subordinate Masculinities

Marginal Masculinities

Queering Masculinity

Feminine Masculinity

Ecology and Masculinity

Fatherhood and Masculinity

Disability and Masculinity

Migration and Masculinity

Athleticism and Masculinity

Nationalism and Masculinity

Urbanization and Masculinity

Colonialism and Masculinity

Law, Judiciary and Masculinity

Literature, Folk and Masculinity

Globalization and Masculinity

Mental Health and Masculinity

War, Resistance and Masculinity

Violence, Crime and Masculinity

Films, TV Series and Masculinity

Posthumanism and Masculinity

Freedom Movements and Masculinity

Caste, Class, Religion and Masculinity

Scholarly and unpublished research articles are invited from scholars and academicians. This volume will be published with an ISBN from a renowned international publishing house. The contributors are requested to submit abstract (max. 300 words including five keywords), a short biographical note (max. 150 words) and a short statement that this work has not been published and is not currently under review elsewhere.

Important Dates:

The last date of sending abstract: 31 August 2024

Acceptance notification: 15 September 2024

Full paper submission: 30 November 2024

Email the chapter: reframingmasculinity@gmail.com

Submission Guidelines:

• Paper size: A4, Front & size: Times New Roman 12, Spacing: 1.5 lines, Margin of 1 inch on all four sides.
• Text of the paper: justified, Images (if any) should be in jpg format with proper copyright.
• Please strictly follow the MLA 9th Edition
• Avoid Foot Notes, use End Note.
• Full paper should be in English (around 4500 words, including citations)
• Adhere academic ethic and be careful about plagiarism. 

Editors:

Dr. M Hassan Dhabak, Assistant Professor of English, Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, B V Raju Institute of Technology, Narsapur, Telangana, India.

Gopal Sarkar, Faculty member, Dept. of English, Dr. MeghnadSaha College, Itahar, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India

Baloram Balo, Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of English, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India.