Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Gerontologist. 2023 Jul 18;63(6):1078-1086. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnac139.
Ideals of masculinity have gradually evolved from dominant traits of "hegemonic masculinity" to a more nurturing concept of "caring masculinity" that recognizes the caregiving roles of men. In this article, we explore the performance of caring masculinities among older men in later life. We do this specifically in the Indian context by analyzing 2 Bollywood films, Piku (2015) and 102, Not Out (2018), which revolve around the lives of 3 widowers aged 70, 75, and 102.
We use a directed content analysis approach to examine the performance of caring masculinities in intergenerational (older parent-adult child) relationships.
Both films exemplify tenets of caring masculinity as 3 older fathers continue to perform caring roles well into their later years. They also navigate a range of emotions and vulnerabilities that challenge behaviors associated with hegemonic masculinity, a mainstay of male role portrayal in Bollywood films. Additionally, the films highlight the complexity and fragility of intergenerational bonds, emphasizing the prevalence of ambivalence rather than pure solidarity or conflict that have traditionally been used to characterize such relationships.
The films challenge the notion of older adults, especially older men, as being primarily care recipients as they age. The performance of caring masculinities allows for a reimagining of masculinity performance in society. The portrayal of men aging within nuclear households without spousal and/or intergenerational support encourages viewers to perceive new roles and realities for older men in India.
男性气质的理想观念逐渐从“霸权男性气质”的主导特征演变为更具养育性的“关爱男性气质”概念，承认男性的养育角色。本文通过分析两部以印度 3 位 70、75 和 102 岁鳏夫生活为背景的宝莱坞电影《Piku》（2015 年）和《102 岁不落伍》（2018 年），探索老年男性在晚年生活中关爱男性气质的表现。
我们采用有针对性的内容分析法，考察代际（老年父母与成年子女）关系中关爱男性气质的表现。
这两部电影都体现了关爱男性气质的原则，3 位老年父亲在晚年仍继续履行关爱角色。他们还经历了一系列情感和脆弱性的挑战，这些挑战挑战了与霸权男性气质相关的行为，霸权男性气质是宝莱坞电影中男性角色描绘的主要特征。此外，这些电影突出了代际关系的复杂性和脆弱性，强调了矛盾心理的普遍性，而不是传统上用于描述这种关系的纯粹团结或冲突。
这些电影挑战了随着年龄增长，老年人，特别是老年男性主要是被照顾者的观念。关爱男性气质的表现使得对社会中男性气质表现的重新想象成为可能。在核心家庭中没有配偶和/或代际支持的情况下描绘男性衰老的形象，鼓励观众对印度老年男性的新角色和新现实有新的认识。
