Better Men? Gendered Culturalized Citizenship in Male Emancipation Projects in the Netherlands

Abstract

After a focus on migrant women’s emancipation (Roggeband & Verloo. Social Policy & Administration, 41(3), 271–288, 2007), migrant men have become a specific target group of culturalized citizenship politics as well. In the Netherlands, men are targeted on a national level as well as on the level of street-level bureaucrats, for example, in father centers and other projects for male emancipation. What does male emancipation mean in practice of these emancipation projects? What masculinities are being presented as dominant, which are debated, and what is essentialized and de-essentialized? How are norms that are presented as masculine, combined with national, citizenship and ethnic norms and identities? How do men respond to these projects? In this contribution, we will study how masculinities are being performed, presented, and debated, based on observations in 23 male emancipation projects in the Netherlands. The projects for men are subsidized by a large national funding organization that aims to let “socially isolated” men (in practice a broad category of mostly migrant men, including refugees and migrant workers) reflect on their identities as men and their roles as partners and fathers and to help them become active citizens. Courses by “masculinity experts,” which are being provided by the funding organization, have also been observed. In these observations, it has become clear that masculinity is being given a central role by the funding organization. In the 23 projects themselves, masculinity is explicitly debated in part of the projects, while others are less explicit. In interviews with the 23 project professionals, however, it became clear that one way or another, the fact that men were the (often new) target group, influenced their project plans. A large part of the projects address men in their role as fathers, in an attempt to influence future generations, but also to find a common ground to mix ethnically diverse groups of men. Being fathers seems to be an easier way to connect men than being partners, or men in general. Relationships with partners (if they have) is a topic that is avoided by part of the projects, which is notable because most professionals legitimize the projects by saying that men “with traditional values” hamper their wives in their development. In the participant observations, it becomes visible how male norms and identities are presented as a starting point, a problem, or a solution. Also, it becomes clear how ethnic norms, and dominant norms that are sometimes presented as national norms, intersect with gender norms and how participating men respond to the gendered topics of the projects. In this contribution we want to illuminate to what extent there is room for diversity and where dominant norms are presented as better ways to be a man.