Discourse analysis of conception of masculinity among Chinese male sexual abuse survivors

Abstract

This study aims to explore the conception of masculinity in organizing the help-seeking behavior of Chinese males in Hong Kong. Twelve informants, who had experienced being abused in various relationships, participated in the in-depth interviews. Discourse analysis drawn from the analytical process per James Paul Gee is applied to examine the data. Six discourse positions are highlighted, including placating masculinity, counter-masculinity, fragmented identity, masculinity through sex, identity through gender, and finally, non-normative sexual identity. The complicity of the concept of masculinity in Chinese culture and implications for social workers are further discussed.