A Masculinist Perspective on Gendered Relations of Power: Rwandan Migrant Men in the UK

This paper explores the complex gendered dynamics of identity, power and personal relations that migration to the UK entails for Rwandan migrant men. In its analysis of eight qualitative interviews, it combines theory on 'hegemonic masculinities' with an application of the 'gendered geographies of power' framework to provide a nuanced and intersectional approach to how migration affects gender across and between three geographical and social scales. The paper argues that three corresponding configurations of gendered practice were dominant – provider, family head and community masculinities – but that migration led to disabling shifts in social locations that led some to attempt to reaffirm hegemonies. Importantly, novel and often innovative gendered configurations of practice emerged that I term dual provider, achievement, equality, parental and diasporic-cosmopolitan masculinities. With close attention to structure, agency and patriarchy, this paper thus builds on the recent and growing literature on migrant masculinities, and advocates further work on gender and transnational migration.