Abstract

Achieving gender equality and reducing violence, especially violence against women, requires men's involvement. This research focuses on understanding the actions and strategies that Costa Rican men who challenge traditional masculinities use to question or resist hegemonic traditional masculinities. Furthermore, it explores what factors influenced the development of these actions and how the participants understand that hegemonic masculinities and their actions to change them are related to gender-based violence. According to Planning Department of the Judiciary of Costa Rica, four out of five perpetrators of violent crimes are men, and eight out of ten victims are women. Using semi-structured interviews with eight Costa Rica men and a qualitative method of data analysis, this study draws from the fields of masculinities studies, feminist theory, intersectionality, gender-based violence, and men in feminism to examine participants' experiences. The study aims to shed light on an unexplored aspect of Costa Rican masculinities and the practices some men are using to create social change. The respondents' strategies for questioning masculinities range from individual reflections to broader social actions and show the positive masculinities they practice. In addition, most of them live with a daily awareness of the need to resist the status quo in educational, social, and family interactions. The study will also lay the groundwork for potential programs focused on fostering positive or healthy masculinities in Costa Rica.

Advisor

Maria Bevacqua

Committee Member

Laura Harrison

Committee Member

Aaron Hoy

Date of Degree

2026

Language

english

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Program of Study

Gender and Women's Studies

Department

History and Gender Studies

College

Humanities and Social Sciences

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In Copyright