34th Annual Student Research Conference
Analyzing Toxic Masculinity: Different Representations of Toxic Masculinity in Three Spanish Works and Their Implications in the Masculinity Crisis
Sophia N. Cuni-Mertz
Dr. Stacy Davis, Faculty Mentor
Toxic masculinity has existed in Spanish culture for centuries. Typical traits of virility, such as power and stoicism, frequently pose risks for not only men, but for the same society that has enforced restrictive gender norms. Other than relating to gender roles, representations of toxic masculinity are also connected to historical context. Specifically, the changing representations of toxic masculinity during the 20th century in Spain are exemplary because they highlight how the history of Spain negatively impacted the mental health and behavior of men, creating a masculinity crisis. Therefore, through conducting a diachronic analysis using La familia de Pascual Duarte (1942), El laberinto del fauno (2006) y Los lunes al sol (2002), one can examine toxic masculinity before, during, and after Francisco Franco’s dictatorship. Moreover, this analysis reveals the distinct representations of toxic masculinity and the ways these representations demonstrate characteristics of toxic masculinity and their psychological and historical components.
Keywords: Toxic masculinity, Gender studies, Spanish history, Francisco Franco, Masculinity crisis, Mental health, Spanish works
Topic(s):Spanish
Presentation Type: Asynchronous Virtual Oral Presentation
Session: 20-2
Location: https://flipgrid.com/e1e7f2e7
Time: 0:00