Graduation Term

Summer 2025

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Sociology and Anthropology: Archaeology

Committee Chair

James Stanlaw

Committee Member

Livia Stone

Abstract

My thesis examines communications and reflections of self (gendered and religious) in Midwest Evangelical Christian men. The focus was on how these groups perform their gender and religion with each other, and the tactics that were used to reinforce an acceptable notion of masculinity. Drawing upon literature on gender and masculinity studies, feminist philosophy, and hierarchical systems, my project aimed to analyze acceptable gender performance pushed by patriarchal gender norms and evangelical Christian groups. I incorporated multiple settings in my ethnographic study across the Midwest. Methods included semi-structured interviews and participant-observation of men’s conferences and Christian men’s groups, while reflecting on my gender performance. Through this investigation, I identified dichotomous ideologies within the groups and how their practices reduce or erase ambiguous notions of religious and gendered self. A strong narrative formed in these spaces, where men are mythologized as warriors of faith held to a higher standard, or demonized for being passive and succumbing to gender confusion and feminization. The degree of binary thought varied throughout these spaces but was consistently clear through conversation and action.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD.1763755359.08893

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