Masculinities and Performances of Skepticism
Masculinities and Performances of Skepticism
This chapter examines the masculine position towards religion—young men being the segment of the population most critical of religion. Their skepticism is taken as performance directed towards their masculine gender projects; they are called “projects” because gender is not a fixed structure, but is constantly being built and changed to suit the environment. Their attitudes towards religion are in some way a form of religious practice, and need to be taken into account in a discussion of the relationship between Buddhism and gender. While men and women hold a variety of beliefs, behavioral patterns will often override more thoughtful reflections, so that some men may express respect towards Buddhism, but avoid practice, and women may express skepticism but nonetheless find themselves making offerings to buddhas or spirits during times of stress.
Keywords: masculinities, skepticism, masculine, gender, behavioral patterns, Buddhism
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