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Masculinities in the construction industry: A double‐edged sword for health and wellbeing?

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  • Esmée Hanna
  • Brendan Gough
  • Steven Markham

Abstract

Construction remains a male‐dominated industry and men in construction suffer high rates of illness and injury compared to other industries. Consideration of men and masculinities may support any attempt to maintain and promote the health and wellbeing of construction workers. This article discusses qualitative case study research conducted with stakeholders in the UK construction industry around health and wellbeing. Our thematic analysis highlights how masculinities operate to both inhibit and promote healthy practices. On the one hand, a culture of stoicism pertaining to illness or injury was evident, whilst a competitive ethos between occupational groups was observed to increase risk‐taking and poor health choices. However, interviewees identified homosocial camaraderie and respect for lived experience as a means to promote positive health behaviour. Differences between younger and older generations of employees were noted. Overall, we argue that men's work and associated health practices can be understood as ‘rational’ individualized responses to structural deregulation and insecurity within the construction industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Esmée Hanna & Brendan Gough & Steven Markham, 2020. "Masculinities in the construction industry: A double‐edged sword for health and wellbeing?," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 632-646, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:27:y:2020:i:4:p:632-646
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12429
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Linda McDowell, 2003. "Masculine identities and low‐paid work: young men in urban labour markets," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 828-848, December.
    2. O'Brien, Rosaleen & Hunt, Kate & Hart, Graham, 2005. "'It's caveman stuff, but that is to a certain extent how guys still operate': men's accounts of masculinity and help seeking," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(3), pages 503-516, August.
    3. Gough, Brendan, 2006. "Try to be healthy, but don't forgo your masculinity: Deconstructing men's health discourse in the media," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(9), pages 2476-2488, November.
    4. Fleming, P.J. & Lee, J.G.L. & Dworkin, S.L., 2014. ""Real men don't": Constructions of masculinity and inadvertent harm in public health interventions," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(6), pages 1029-1035.
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    Cited by:

    1. Trang Thi Quynh Dinh & Janne Tienari, 2022. "Brothers and broken dreams: Men, masculinity, and emotions in platform capitalism," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 609-625, March.
    2. Amna Chaudhry & John Amis, 2022. "Negotiating masculinities in times of crisis: On the COVID frontline in Pakistan," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 650-665, March.
    3. George Ofori, 2023. "Get Construction Project Performance Parameters Right to Attain Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Adams, Nicholas Norman, 2023. "“It's how people act out there that counts”: Examining linkages between emerging and protective organisationally desirable managerial masculinities and a reimagining of formal safety policies in the o," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).

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