Manhood Is Not Easy

In this in-depth ethnography, Karin van Nieuwkerk takes the autobiographical narrative of Sayyid Henkish, a musician from a long family tradition of wedding performers in Cairo, as a lens through which to explore changing notions of masculinity in an Egyptian community over the course of a single lifetime. Central to Henkish’s story is his own conception of manhood, which is closely tied to the notion of ibn al-balad, the ‘authentically Egyptian’ lower-middle class male, with all its associated values of nobility, integrity, and toughness. How to embody these communal ideals while providing for his family in the face of economic hardship and the perceived moral ambiguities associated with his work in the entertainment trade are key themes in his narrative. Van Nieuwkerk situates his account within a growing body of literature on gender that sees masculinity as a lived experience that is constructed and embodied in specific social and historical contexts. In doing so, she shows that the challenges faced by Henkish are not limited to the world of entertainment and that his story offers profound insights into socioeconomic and political changes taking place in Egypt at large and the ways in which these transformations impact and unsettle received notions of masculinity.

Karin van Nieuwkerk takes the autobiographical narrative of Sayyid Henkish, a musician from a long family tradition of wedding performers in Cairo, as a lens through which to explore changing notions of masculinity in an Egyptian community over the course of a lifetime. Situating his account within a growing body of literature on gender that sees masculinity as a lived experience that changes and is negotiated over time, she shows that the challenges faced by Henkish are not limited to his profession and that his story offers profound insights into socioeconomic and political changes in Egypt.

Karin van Nieuwkerk takes the autobiographical narrative of Sayyid Henkish, a musician from a long family tradition of wedding performers in Cairo, as a lens through which to explore changing notions of masculinity in an Egyptian community over the course of a lifetime. Situating his account within a growing body of literature on gender that sees masculinity as a lived experience that changes and is negotiated over time, she shows that the challenges faced by Henkish are not limited to his profession and that his story offers profound insights into socioeconomic and political changes in Egypt at large and the ways these transformations impact received notions of masculinity.

Don’t trust your instincts—there is a better path to becoming a better man. It’s no secret: today’s men face a dilemma. Our culture tells them that their instincts are either toxic or salvific. Men are left with only two options: deconstruct and forfeit masculine identity or embrace it with wild abandon. They’re left to decide between ignoring their instincts or indulging them. Neither approach helps them actually understand their own masculine experiences nor how those experiences can lead them to become better men of God. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the reality of masculine instincts nor all of the ways those instincts can lead to destruction. Examining the lives of five men of the Bible, The 5 Masculine Instincts shows that these men aren’t masculine role models or heroes but are men who wrestled with their own desires and, by faith, matured them into something better. Through this book you’ll discover your own instincts are neither curse nor virtue. They are the experiences by which you develop a new and better instinct—an instinct of faith. By exploring sarcasm, adventure, ambition, reputation, and apathy, The 5 Masculine Instincts shows you how to better understand yourself and how your own instincts can be matured into something better. This is the path by which we become better men.

A 2022 Choice Reviews Outstanding Academic Title Negotiating Patriarchy and Gender in Africa: Discourses, Practices, and Policies examines the entrenchment of patriarchy in Africa and its attendant socioeconomic and political consequences on gender relations. The contributors analyze the historical and modern ways in which gender expectations have enabled women in African societies to be systematically abused and marginalized, from unpaid labor to poor representation in decision-making areas. Exploring regions such as rural Uganda, the suburbs of Zimbabwe, the Gold Coast, South Africa, and Nigeria, contributors incorporate a wide range of academic theories and disciplines to establish the need for improved policy implementation on gender issues at both the local and national government levels in Africa.

Men often behave badly, and it's easy to assume that's just the way they are. Some can be grandiose and aggressive; many others are good guys but emotionally absent and relationally disappointing. Psychologists Charlie Donaldson and Randy Flood contend, however, that most men's behavior is neither capricious or malevolent, but a product of a socialized disorder "mascupathy" - an exaggeration of the genetically masculine traits (aggression and invulnerability) and minimal expression of inherently feminine characteristics (openness and sensitivity). Committed to helping men achieve rich, engaged lives, the authors propose a revolutionary way to think about men. Mascupathy shines a bright light of understanding, revealing unexpected transformations of men in stirring clinical accounts. This is an eye, mind, and heart-opening book full of compelling reasons to feel optimistic about the future of men and the people who love them.

A nonfiction investigation into masculinity, For The Love of Men provides actionable steps for how to be a man in the modern world, while also exploring how being a man in the world has evolved. In 2019, traditional masculinity is both rewarded and sanctioned. Men grow up being told that boys don’t cry and dolls are for girls (a newer phenomenon than you might realize—gendered toys came back in vogue as recently as the 80s). They learn they must hide their feelings and anxieties, that their masculinity must constantly be proven. They must be the breadwinners, they must be the romantic pursuers. This hasn’t been good for the culture at large: 99% of school shooters are male; men in fraternities are 300% (!) more likely to commit rape; a woman serving in uniform has a higher likelihood of being assaulted by a fellow soldier than to be killed by enemy fire. In For the Love of Men, Liz offers a smart, insightful, and deeply-researched guide for what we're all going to do about toxic masculinity. For both women looking to guide the men in their lives and men who want to do better and just don’t know how, For the Love of Men will lead the conversation on men's issues in a society where so much is changing, but gender roles have remained strangely stagnant. What are we going to do about men? Liz Plank has the answer. And it has the possibility to change the world for men and women alike.

Are you tired of modern society emasculating you and trying to strip away your manhood? Do you feel like everything around you is trying to make you feel weak and inadequate as a man? Well, you're not alone. In this book, "Defending Manhood," Conrad Riker presents a powerful and thought-provoking analysis of the challenges and threats that men face in today's world. 1. Are you tired of society trying to eradicate traditional masculine qualities? 2. Do you feel like woke cultures and identity politics are undermining your values and masculinity? 3. Are you struggling to maintain your masculinity in the face of overwhelming challenges? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this book is for you. "Defending Manhood" provides practical advice and actionable steps for men to reclaim their masculinity and help preserve our society's core values and beliefs. Here's what you can expect to find in "Defending Manhood": - Secrets to unlocking the power of your inner masculine strength - The destructive impact of woke cultures on traditional masculinity - How to stand up against the forces that want to weaken you - Proven strategies for rebuilding your confidence and self-esteem - Insights into the importance of fatherhood and its role in the family unit - How to navigate the modern dating scene while maintaining your masculine principles - The dangers of surrendering to radical feminism, progressive ideologies, and the degradation of society - The practical steps you can take to preserve masculinity, protect your relationships, and ensure a prosperous future for the next generation. Don't let the world take away your manhood. If you want to reclaim your masculinity, save society, and live your life with confidence, then buy "Defending Manhood" today. It's time to take a stand and protect your manhood.