DISP: Rethinking Development's Archives

Why Me? Male Infertility and Responsibility in the Middle East

Inhorn tackles constructions of masculinity in the Middle East[1] in context of high male infertility rates linked to heredity, war and political violence, environmental toxicity, and stress. Reproductive health initiatives in Egypt have pushed rhetoric of men “taking responsibility” for infertility and protecting the family, which contributes to reifying patriarchal norms and focuses on empowering women through blaming men. She argues that the stereotype of the violent, irresponsible, patriarchal Middle Eastern man is being challenged by emergent masculinities that defy these patriarchal and Western-constructed stereotypes. This piece provides essential insight into a less established subsection of gender studies – the study of masculinity. Considering the authoritative and narrow cliché of the Middle Eastern man constantly being replicated by Western media, Inhorn offers ethnographic insight into the contemporary development of “responsible men” whose reproductive health is in decline due to conditions of violence, often resulting from Western imperial interests.[2]

Inhorn, Marcia. “Why Me? Male Infertility and Responsibility in the Middle East”. Men and Masculinities 16, no. 1 (2012): 49-70. https://marciainhorn.com/wp-content/uploads/10.1177_1097184X12468098.pdf.
 
[1] Also see Amar, Paul. “Middle East Masculinity Studies: Discourses of “Men in Crisis,” Industries of Gender in Revolution.” Journal of Middle East Women's Studies 1 November 2011; 7 (3): 36–70. doi: https://doi.org/10.2979/jmiddeastwomstud.7.3.36
[2] This comes from the Men and Masculinities journal which explores the roles and perceptions of men within society in the emerging field of men and masculinity studies. The article belonged to a special issue on Men, Masculinity, and Responsibility.

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