Performing Masculinity: Body, Self and Identity in Modern Fiji

by Geir Presterudstuen

Overview

Geir Henning Presterudstuen provides an ethnographic account of howmen in the multicultural urban centres of Fiji perceive, construct andperform masculinities in the context of rapid social change. Theoreticallyinformed by critical feminist theories, postcolonialism, R.W. Connell’s workon masculinities and a Bourdieuan conceptualization of the body, thisbook explores how notions of masculinity, manhood and the male bodyare shaped by the conflicting social forces of Fijian tradition, modernity,commercialization and urbanization.The book provides a timely intervention, from the grassroots level in theglobal south, into an ongoing discourse about men and masculinities thathas long been dominated by voices from Europe and the US. Combiningclassic ethnography with innovative social analysis, Presterudstuen’sbook is suitable for students and academics with an interest in genderand social change, and for scholars across a variety of disciplinesincluding anthropology, gender studies, sociology, pacific studies andinternational development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350043343
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/07/2019
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Geir Henning Presterudstuen is Lecturer in Anthropology at Western Sydney University, Australia. He has conducted long-term fieldwork in Fiji since 2009 and has published widely on issues of gender and social change.

Table of Contents

Preface vi

Acknowledgements xvi

1 Modernities, masculinities and the Fijian body: Connections and conceptualizations 1

2 Performing masculinity through Christian devotion: Methodism and manhood 27

3 'Living in Hell': Performing Indo-Fijian masculinities 49

4 Making a living: Land, labour, trade and tradition for modern Fijian men 73

5 Drinking, hyper-masculinity and insolence 97

6 Betting-men and bad money: Modern masculinities and consumption 117

7 Sex, sexualities and the modern body 139

Postscript: Modern masculinities in Fiji and theoretical implications 159

Notes 169

Bibliography 175

Index 191

Editorial Reviews

"This book takes on an important topic in both Masculinities/gender studies and the Anthropology of the Pacific region. Not only is the book going to be of interest to scholars working across several disciplines, but it will also be accessible to students and a more broadly interested public. - John Taylor, La Trobe University, Australia An important study of modern experiments with masculinity in Fiji, which makes for a nuanced ethnography of gendered bodies, practices and power in diverse contexts such as villages, nightclubs gambling and religious venues. - Kalissa Alexeyeff, The University of Melbourne, Australia This is a well-researched, ethnographically sensitive, historically informed study of emerging sexualities and genders in two distinct, but historically and culturally entangled, ethnic communities in Fiji. - Aletta Biersack, University of Oregon, USA This book is at the cutting-edge of the anthropology of masculinity, and focuses in innovative ways on overlooked topics that matter. - Matt Tomlinson, Australian National University, Australia"

From the Publisher