Authors
Gareth Terry, Virginia Braun
Publication date
2011/12/26
Journal
Men and Masculinities
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Description
Men’s interest in the contraceptive and reproductive spheres is often considered to be minimal, with management of these domains traditionally constructed as “feminine.” Despite this, some men, who have no interest in having children, choose to take a higher degree of control over their reproductive bodies, voluntarily seeking a “preemptive” vasectomy. This article reports on interview data with twelve men who had preemptive vasectomies, describing the shared meaning making (and subject positions) many of these men took up in relation to the operation. The subject positions can be identified by (1) descriptions of themselves and/or their lifestyles as “selfish,” and (2) descriptions of themselves and/or their lifestyles as “unconventional.” While these self-descriptors might be construed negatively, an indication of marginalization, the authors would argue that the men were able to put a positive spin on these …
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