PhD Oral Exam - Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad, Social and Cultural Analysis

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

This doctoral study explores the evolving dynamics of masculinity among Bangladeshi transnational migrant men in Canada, focusing on how their identities are shaped by and shape gender role expectations within the broader context of migration, gender, and social inequality. Through twenty-four semi-structured interviews with Bangladeshi migrant men recruited via purposive snowball sampling, the study offers a nuanced analysis guided by the conceptual frameworks of transnationalism, masculinity, and intersectionality. Data were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory and constructionist thematic analysis.

The findings of this study reveal a nuanced interplay between traditional and contemporary ideals of masculinity among the interlocutors, shaped by intersecting cultural, social, and personal factors. The interlocutors predominantly define their masculinity as responsible, hard-working, and career-focused providers and protectors of their families. However, they also acknowledge that their post-migration construction of masculinity diverges significantly from their understanding of traditionally dominant masculinity due to challenges such as professional devaluation, loss of social standing, and discrimination in the Canadian labour market, which profoundly affect their sense of masculine self-worth. Furthermore, internal contradictions arise as these men navigate traditional patriarchal norms within their new environment, leading to complexities in reconciling traditional values with evolving gender roles and expectations. Despite these tensions, some recognize that shifts in gender roles post-migration foster personal growth and strengthen conjugal and familial relationships. Nonetheless, most interlocutors continue to hold onto masculinity ideologies closely aligned with pre-migration Bangladeshi cultural norms.

Shifting the focus from mainstream debates on masculinity that long prioritized analyses of men’s power, privilege, and authority to an explicit investigation of how masculinity is constructed through lived experiences in migration contexts, this study introduces the Negotiated Masculinity Framework (NMF). The NMF identifies three key dimensions: negotiational agency, emphasizing men's active role in adapting to and reinterpreting cultural norms; communal negotiations, highlighting the importance of social networks and collective support; and negotiating contradictions, acknowledging tensions between cultural heritage, societal expectations, and personal aspirations. By exploring these dimensions, this doctoral study contributes to a critical yet underexplored aspect of transnational migration studies and deepens the understanding of masculinity among migrant subgroups with shared yet distinct social identities.