Navigating masculinities: exploring the lived experiences of adolescent Albertan boys

This phenomenological study investigates lived experiences of masculinity among a group of adolescent Albertan boys. The study’s aim is to better understand participants’ perspectives, improve the researcher’s teaching practices, and share implications with other educators. Seven participants, from an urban center in Alberta, were recruited and interviewed. Three themes were identified: The Expectations Placed on Boys, The Challenges of Being a Boy, and The Normalization of Negative Boy Behaviour. Expectations placed on boys explored how participants felt required to follow societal expectations of masculinity. Challenges of being a boy were described as difficult compared to those faced by girls due to having little autonomy based on societal expectations. Normalization of negative boy behaviour highlighted how participants were accustomed to negative behaviour from other males and accepted this behaviour as typical. This study provides an examination of these themes, identifies potential implications for educators, and poses questions for further research.