Men in Crisis: Gender Role Shifts in Urban Indonesian Culture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62872/kj.v2i3.477Keywords:
adaptation, identity, masculinity, modernity, urban cultureAbstract
This study examines the shifting construction of masculinity in urban Indonesia amid rapid sociocultural transformation. Changes in economic structures, digital media expansion, gendered labor redistribution, and new moral expectations have collectively destabilized traditional masculine identities, creating psychological tension and social ambiguity for many men. Using a qualitative cultural analysis approach, this research synthesizes empirical literature, media representations, and sociocultural narratives to explore how urban men negotiate, resist, or adapt to evolving gender norms. Findings reveal that men experience significant identity conflict as they reconcile internalized patriarchal expectations with emerging egalitarian demands across family, work, and digital spheres. However, the analysis also identifies adaptive pathways in which men develop hybrid masculine identities that integrate emotional openness, shared caregiving, and collaborative partnership models. These adaptive forms demonstrate that masculinity crisis is not only a narrative of decline but also a catalyst for reconstructing more inclusive and relationally grounded male identities in Indonesia. The study highlights the importance of cultural literacy, emotional well-being, and institutional support in facilitating healthier gender transitions
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