Section Article

Masculinities and Changing Roles of Men in the 21st Century
Author(s): Ishwar Chand

Abstract
The 21st century has witnessed a profound transformation in the conceptualization and performance of masculinities challenging traditional patriarchal models while simultaneously generating new tensions and contradictions. This paper examines the evolving landscape of male identities through an interdisciplinary lens that incorporates gender studies sociology and cultural theory. Drawing on data from 30 national surveys (2010-2023) and ethnographic research across five continents the study reveals three key trends: the rise of inclusive masculinities in urban centers the persistence of reactionary masculinist movements and the emergence of hybrid masculine identities in digital spaces. The analysis demonstrates how economic precarity feminist critiques and technological change have collectively reshaped male socialization patterns with significant implications for family structures workplace dynamics and political systems. Findings indicate that while 68% of millennial men now reject rigid gender roles (Pew Research Center 2022) male suicide rates have increased by 40% in industrialized nations during the same period (WHO 2023) underscoring the complex psychosocial costs of gender role transition. The paper concludes by proposing a new framework for understanding masculinities as dynamic context-dependent social practices rather than fixed identities.