Structures of feeling and 'inarticulate' left masculinities

Waugh, Christopher ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8116-2068 (2024) Structures of feeling and 'inarticulate' left masculinities. Key Words: A Journal of Cultural Materialism, 22. ISSN 1369-9725 (In Press)

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Abstract

This paper addresses a critical gap in the literature on gender dynamics within radical left and progressive social movements, specifically focusing on "left-wing masculinities." Previous studies have highlighted behaviours such as sexual harassment, bullying, and violence by men against women within these movements and the ambiguous status of left-wing men in feminist-aligned movements. Drawing on Raymond Williams's concept of "structures of feeling," this study offers a novel theoretical lens to examine masculinity within these contexts. Through semi-structured interviews with men involved in the British left and labour movement, the research explores how affective practices shape movement culture and how these men navigate their positionality and practice anti-sexist politics. The concept of "structures of feeling" provides a framework to understand how new voices and identities emerge during social change, highlighting tensions in articulating action and understanding social structures' limiting effects. A significant finding is the identification of "inarticulate" masculinities, referring to men who, despite understanding male positionality and patriarchal power, struggle to articulate their responses and actions regarding their masculinities and engagement with gender politics. This study contributes to the field by offering concrete examples from interviews, emphasising the practical implications for promoting gender equity within left-wing movements, and connecting these insights to broader societal conversations about masculinity, gender, and social progress