The Men’s Burden: High School Boys’ Perspectives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55677/SSHRB/2025-3050-0101Keywords:
gender discrimination, male privilege, male vulnerability, school students, NepalAbstract
The present research paper explores the perspectives of high school boys regarding living as males in Nepalese society. A total of 20 boys from a high school in Kathmandu took part in this study and provided their written responses to the prompt. The written responses were analysed using a content analysis method from a masculinity perspective. The findings revealed that rather than focusing on their own lives, the boys voluntarily reflected on the gender discrimination against girls such as women violence, dowry, unequal distribution of opportunities, and restrictions. They also accepted that males were more valued and had more freedom and opportunities than females in Nepalese families. However, they were also mindful of obscure aspects of being a male that restricted their emotions and hid their vulnerabilities. They presented a man's life in Nepal as being solely burdened with family responsibilities at the cost of their comfort and choices. According to them, a male’s worth in Nepal was based on their economic productivity and assets rather than his character. As a result, they often felt pressured to get a job early to prove their self-worth. Some other problems they mentioned were being in a position of the benefit of the doubt, mental pressure, and having no available support system when they are in a vulnerable situation. This paper contributes to the limited masculinity study and male gender problems in Nepal.
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