- How men should be and what masculinity means is often controversially discussed.
- Role models are less strong than before. These freedoms can lead to uncertainty.
- A study shows that younger men are more conservative than older men.
- Three young men talk about how they deal with the topic.
What does masculinity mean? A new study by the University of Zurich in collaboration with the Mannes.ch association is investigating this question. The Study concludes: Young people are more conservative compared to older people. We spoke to three men about how they define masculinity.
“More freedom can be unsettling”
Jakob (19) says that just a few years ago he had a rather conservative attitude. “I was convinced that there were stark differences between men and women.” Social media in particular had a big influence on him. “And because I was convinced that the differences were so great, I also thought that equality would not be possible.”
Then he began to think more about himself and kept a diary. «Over time my image has changed. Above all, the idea of what it means to be a man.” Today he has a clear idea of what masculinity is not: “Neither violence nor dominance make a real man.”
“Do more what makes you happy”
Jakob is convinced that rigid ideas limit people, regardless of gender. “Many men don’t do what they want because they still think too hard about whether that’s okay as a man.”
At the same time, he sees that many men are becoming more conservative again, for example in eastern Switzerland, where he lives. “If you no longer have rigid rules, no clear task or status, it can be unsettling. More freedom can also be scary.”
Today, Jacob thinks less about what it means to be a man. «Of course, sometimes there is a voice in the back of my head that reminds me what the norm is. But I think we should all try harder to do what makes us happy, not what is expected of us.”
“Biological differences are ignored”
L.* describes himself as cosmopolitan and progressive. Nevertheless, he can understand certain conservative tendencies. “There are things that have been the way they are for centuries, and there is probably a reason for that.”
The 28-year-old is currently busy with current world events. “The geopolitical situation is getting worse. We have war in Europe again. That was unimaginable for me a few years ago.”
The townsman says that these events changed something in him. «I feel a certain anger and fear. And the will to be able to protect my loved ones as well as our society and its values in an emergency.” L. is convinced that these feelings are a basic instinct that many men feel. “And I sometimes have the impression that people try to explain away the fact that there are these differences between men and women.”
Feeling of paternalism
L. would like to remain anonymous because he wants to clearly separate work and politics. The digital manager says that he often encounters little openness, especially in left-wing circles where he frequents.
How do the current discussions surrounding masculinity influence you?
In general, L. has an ambivalent feeling when it comes to the topic of masculinity. «I believe that men have a certain tendency to be physically aggressive. And of course it’s part of controlling them.” At the same time, he thinks that these days there is more talk about what a man should be like. «Certain things are innate. If they are problematized across the board, this debate sometimes comes across as patronizing.”
“Men are less concerned with their inner lives”
Emilio says that he grew up with a rather conservative family image. Today, the 26-year-old has a clear opinion: “Masculinity has nothing to do with physical strength, courage or honor, but with commitment to others and tolerance.”
The qualified nursing specialist in training looks at the discussion about masculinity from a different perspective: “Four years ago I had the courage to come out as a man. Because I was born a biological woman.”
Emilio thinks it’s a shame that more men don’t think about their position in society. «I know what it’s like to be perceived by society as a woman and what it’s like to be perceived as a man. For example, I am accepted more quickly as a man in strange groups.”
He has more female friends in his environment than male ones. But what he always notices is: “Many men don’t ask themselves certain questions about their inner lives. I sometimes try to have an influence there and ask them about it.”
* Name is known to the editors.
Anja Zingg (anz), has been working at 20 Minuten since 2020. She has been head of the Society & Community department since June 2023.
