Exploration of Metaperceptions Held by Men Enrolled in Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre Programme, Correlates Behaviours and Coping Strategies

Abstract

Background
Men participating in the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC) programme,
designed to challenge negative masculinity, have exhibited positive shifts in
household responsibilities and collaborative decision-making with their wives.
However, little was known about how these men believe non-enrolled men perceive
them.
Aim
The study aimed to explore the metaperceptions of enrolled men regarding how
they are perceived by other men in their community and it investigated strategies
employed to overcome these metaperceptions.
Method
Using a qualitative approach, 15 men involved in the RWAMREC programme,
selected based on their completion of a couples' curriculum on domestic violence
using a gender transformation approach, were interviewed.
Results
The findings indicated that men engaging in traditionally feminine tasks faced
societal stigma, being viewed as bewitched or not real men. Despite these
challenges, many expressed gratitude for the positive impact on family dynamics.
The majority of enrolled males were criticized and regarded as not embodying true
masculinity; nonetheless, some concealed their involvement in certain tasks, and
a few discontinued providing care after the being aggressed by the men who tried
to protect their threatened masculinity.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the metaperceptions and defensive reactions of men
protecting their threatened manhood may hinder the programme's goal of
fostering positive masculinity adoption. To sustain the intervention across diverse
organizations, positive masculinity promotion has to be included in the package
provided to friends of family volunteers.
Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2024;7(1):46-62