Reinterpreting Thai masculinity: An explorative case study of evolving Thai masculinity among Thai Gen Z men

The gender construct of masculinity, founded in cultural expectations and norms, are subject to modification based on the experiences of socialization by birth generation and the interpretation of masculinity by each birth generation. This study employs a case study approach to explore the interpretation of masculinity by Generation Z (Gen Z) men in Thailand, focusing on a specific university setting. Using a descriptive qualitative methodology with phenomenology as an interpretive lens, this research examines how masculinity is understood and negotiated in the case of Gen Z Thai men. The findings reveal how Gen Z Thai men maintain strong cultural and societal ties while simultaneously redefining masculinity as gentler and more inclusive and hybrid. The respondents also demonstrated an appreciation for gender diversity, eschewing toxic masculinity and breaking away from the Thai stereotype of bigamy/polygamy. Although this study is contextually bound and not generalizable, it provides in-depth insights into the evolving nature of Thai masculinity. This study contributes to the academic discourse on Thai masculinity and provides a foundation for further research into diverse gender expressions and interpretations within the Thai cultural context.