men

My new book is published!

/ KAT / Leave a comment

My book Mężczyznologia (Menology) is finally published and you can order it here.


Mężczyznologia is the first scholarly publication on the Polish market that comprehensively addresses the topic of men and masculinities from a sociological perspective. I present findings from years of international empirical research to offer readers an in-depth analysis of masculinity and men’s positions in contemporary society. This is not only a review of current academic debates, but also an attempt to understand how men’s social positions are shaped in the face of ongoing cultural, political, and economic transformations.

The book’s analytical core is a triad: the costs of masculinity, male privilege, and differences between men (Messner 2000). I argue that only by examining all three dimensions can we meaningfully answer the question: what is the situation of men today? I emphasize that men are not a homogenous social group and that their experiences—both in terms of the advantages and the challenges of being a man—are deeply shaped by class, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation. The book explores hegemonic, marginalized, protective, and caring masculinities, all through an intersectional lens.

Mężczyznologia addresses topics of critical importance not only to academia but also to public debate: men’s health, emotions, work, fatherhood (including new forms of engaged fathering), and geopolitical issues such as war, migration, and male activism. These are all analyzed sociologically to better understand their dynamics and impact on individuals and society.

Accordig to Katarzyna Leszczyńska. AGH professor who reviewed it, Mężczyznologia “offers an excellent and insightful sociological analysis, attentive to the nuances of contemporary debates on masculinity. (…) It is not only an academic work, but also an important voice in social reflection, offering a new perspective on key issues. (…) Without a doubt, it will be one of the most significant social science titles of 2025.”

Not all that glitters is gold: rethinking caring masculinities

/ KAT / Leave a comment

For decades, researchers, educators, and activists have asked: What would it take to change masculinity? How can we shift away from harmful, dominant models of manhood rooted in control, emotional stoicism, and disconnection? One answer that has gained traction in recent years is the concept of caring masculinities. The term promises a hopeful shift toward men who are nurturing, emotionally literate, and committed to equality. But what do we, scholars, really mean when we talk about caring masculinities? Can care truly reshape manhood, or does this concept simply repackage privilege in a softer tone?

In our recent article published in Men & Masculinities and simply titled Caring masculinities: Rethinking the concept, we unpack these questions by revisiting and critically rethinking the scholarly conceptualisation of caring masculinities. While it has typically been viewed as a progressive step forward, our research reveals that it’s not without complications. This blog post offers a brief overview of what we found—and why it matters for anyone interested in gender justice today.

What are caring masculinities?

Caring masculinities have been part of the scholarly discourse for over 20 years. Introduced to the literature by Holter and Lindqvist (2003), Boyle (2002), and Gärtner et al. (2007), among others, and popularized by Hanlon (2012) and Elliott (2016) the term, in the nutshell,  refers to expressions of manhood that prioritize care, empathy, and relational engagement over traditional masculine norms of dominance and control. Men who can be associated with caring masculinities might be involved fathers, emotionally present partners, or social workers and nurses who take pride in caregiving. They may champion gender equality in their personal lives and workplaces. In many ways, this represents an encouraging shift. But as our article argues, the story doesn’t end there.

In popular media and academic literature alike, caring masculinities are often portrayed as a linear progression: men moving away from traditional male traits and toward a more egalitarian future. But real-life gender relations are never that simple. Our analysis shows that caring masculinities often coexist with deep structural inequalities. In some cases, men’s performance of care can obscure or even reinforce their privilege—especially when care becomes a way to signal moral superiority without engaging in real, systemic change. This raises important questions: Who benefits from caring masculinities? And what kind of care are we talking about?

Critiques and complexities

Some scholars have already raised these questions and argue, for example, that focusing on individual transformations may overlook structural inequalities and the need for broader societal change. Others caution that caring masculinities could become a new form of hegemonic masculinity, privileging certain expressions of care while marginalizing others (Wojnicka and de Boise, 2025).  Our article emphasizes the importance of situating caring masculinities within broader socio-political contexts, acknowledging the interplay between individual agency and structural constraints.

In this context, caring masculinities risk becoming the new moral currency of privileged men. The “nice guy” persona can mask entitlement or reluctance to give up power. Men may adopt the language and gestures of care while still benefiting from patriarchal structures. When this happens, care stops being transformative—it becomes a kind of branding strategy, a way to appear progressive without challenging the status quo. This is particularly evident when looking at race, class, and migration. White, middle-class men often have more freedom to perform caring masculinities in ways that are seen as admirable. Racialized or working-class men may not be afforded the same space or may be judged more harshly when they express care or vulnerability. In other words, not all caring masculinities are received equally.

Implications for gender equality and social change

The takeaway, however, is not that caring masculinities are bad or useless. On the contrary, they offer an important counterpoint to dominant models of manhood. But we need to be honest about their limitations. Care isn’t neutral—it’s shaped by power, history, and social context. If we want caring masculinities to be more than just a softer mask for dominance, we have to ground them in political struggle and collective transformation. That means challenging workplace cultures, transforming parenting norms, rethinking welfare policies, and most importantly, listening to the voices of those most affected by gendered oppression—including women, queer people, and marginalised communities.

At a time when gender politics are both more visible and more contested than ever, how we imagine and enact masculinity matters deeply. Rather than celebrating individual men for “doing care,” we should be asking how care is done, who it serves, and what kind of masculinity it reinforces. Our article invites readers—and especially scholars and activists—to think more critically and more politically about this emerging field.

What does protective masculinity have to do with migrant men in Sweden, and why is it important?

/ KAT / Leave a comment

In my previous blog posts, I explored how migrant men navigate the complex world of dating in diverse cultural environments. We looked at how they try to balance societal expectations, cultural differences, and personal desires in building relationships. But dating is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding the experiences of migrant men. In a book chapter titled Protective Migrant Masculinity: Between Marginalisation and Privilege, which is a part of the edited volume Migratory MenPlace, Transnationalism and Masculinities, I focus on another crucial aspect of their lives—the role of the nation of protection and how it shapes their sense of masculinity in new environments.

What is protective masculinity?

At the heart of this chapter is the concept of protective masculinity. This term refers to how men often take on protective roles within their families and communities. These roles may involve being providers, breadwinners, or physical protectors for their loved ones, mostly during uncertain and challenging times, but not just then. At first glance, it may seem like a positive trait, but it isn’t. This model of masculinity draws its strength from physical and economic foundations, portraying men as protectors who defend women, children, and society from perceived threats posed by others. By doing so, it reinforces male privilege and control, disguising dominance as care and sacrifice. This can be seen in everything from performing demanding physical labor to, in rare cases, risking life and health (Wojnicka & Kubisa, 2024). In the context of migration, protective masculinity becomes a strategy for coping with the loss of status and downward social mobility that many migrant men face. Protection is deeply connected to maintaining male privilege, power, and access to resources traditionally associated with men’s roles. This connection becomes particularly evident when protection is seen as breadwinning. For many male migrants, the decision to leave their home countries is driven by the desire to provide financial support for their families. These men often prioritize their family’s financial security, even if it means accepting that their masculinity is less valued in their host country than back home. Breadwinning, framed as a form of protection, plays a significant role in male migrant communities. By fulfilling this role, men not only sustain traditional forms of masculinity in their home communities but also create a “self-valorizing” version of masculinity. This means they find meaning and honor in the sacrifices they make for their families through paid work, even when they face challenges in the host society.

When marginalisation meets privilege

A central theme of my research is the tension between marginalisation and privilege. Some migrant men often find themselves in a double bind: they face discrimination and exclusion in their host countries while still benefiting from certain privileges associated with being male. This is definitely the case of Polish migrant men who live in one of the EU countries, which in the context of my research is Sweden. On the marginalisation side, migrant men frequently encounter racism, precarious work conditions, and social exclusion. These challenges can undermine their sense of identity and self-worth. Language barriers and cultural stereotypes further contribute to their struggles, making it difficult to fully integrate into their new environments. On the flip side, traditional gender norms often grant them a certain level of respect and authority within their cultural communities. Even when facing discrimination in the wider society, they may still be viewed as leaders or protectors at home. Moreover, being a white, EU citizens gives them advantages, that other, non-EU groups of migrants cannot cherish. This dual experience—being marginalised in some spaces while enjoying privilege in others—is a defining feature of Polishi male migrants communities.

And why does this matter?

Understanding the experiences of migrant men is essential for building more inclusive and equitable societies. Too often, public discourse either vilifies them as threats or overlooks their struggles entirely. My research aims to challenge these simplistic narratives and highlight the complexity of their lives. Recognising protective migrant masculinity can help us develop more nuanced perspectives on masculinity and migration. It allows us to understand the complexity of migrant men situations and struggles but simultaneously it remind us that migrant men are not homogenous groups and occupy different position in host/destination societies. Finally, as migration continues to shape our societies, it’s crucial that we broaden our conversations about gender and identity aspects of this phenomenon. By exploring concepts like protective migrant masculinity, we gain a deeper understanding of how different men navigate the challenges and opportunities of migration.