Abstract
Although researchers have begun to show critical interest in men as gendered beings, theoretical models capable of cultivating alternative, more psychologically and socially adaptive patterns of male development are lacking. A small purposively drawn sample of eight profeminist men, along with one father's rights activist, were asked to recount their personal experiences involving gender issues during unstructured interviews. Intensive qualitative analysis was used to interpret and organize the data into groups of related constructs, which were refined, organized, and reorganized according to the emerging schematic model. This model illustrates the complex developmental process of personal change and social transformation experienced by the nine men interviewed. Analysis revealed that embracing gender-related conflict in the context of a firm yet compassionate and synergistic community was key to congruent profeminist experience. The implications of the model are discussed in relation to current theory on masculinities and men's role in feminism.
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