THE WEIGHT OF THE MASK: MASCULINITIES FROM A MARXIST PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIAL REPRODUCTION THEORY
Name: PEDRO ALVES GOMES
Publication date: 18/03/2026
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ALINE FARDIN PANDOLFI | Examinador Interno |
| ARELYS ESQUENAZI BORREGO | Examinador Interno |
| LIVIA DE CASSIA GODOI MORAES | Presidente |
| MARIANA SHINOHARA RONCATO | Examinador Externo |
| PAULA VARELA | Examinador Externo |
Summary: This work studies masculinities through a Marxist lens, based on the Theory of Social Reproduction (TSR). The research problem to be answered is guided by the following question: how does Marxist theory, from the perspective of the Theory of Social
Reproduction, help us to think about masculinities? Its main objective is to propose a critical analysis of masculinities from feminist and Marxist epistemologies, with an emphasis on the Theory of Social Reproduction. It presents conceptions of masculinity and proposes a Marxist analysis, grounded in the Theory of Social Reproduction, through a debate around a new man and a new woman. The theoretical approach encompasses, in addition to the contributions of the TSR, contributions regarding the notion of masculinity, general contributions on the category of masculinity, and contributions to feminist and Marxist studies. To this end, it uses methodological approaches such as bibliographic review as research tools. Furthermore, it is supported by historicaldialectical materialism, as it proposes a historical-materialist analysis of masculinity. It aims to debate concepts of masculinities through questions to be answered from a unified Marxist perspective. By adopting historical-dialectical materialism as its foundation, it seeks to contribute to the development of Marxism, as well as to the practical and theoretical strengthening of the need to construct an alternative masculinity. The relevance of the research is justified in several areas, both theoretical and practical – much more so than empirical – that nurture a necessary change for the construction of an emancipated society. A society that surpasses the one erected under the capitalist system. It concludes that the analysis of masculinities from the perspective of the Theory of Social Reproduction reveals how they are historically and socially constituted, reinforcing
hegemonic patterns and the social relations of production and reproduction. The research points to the need for transformation of social structures and the construction of new masculinities, articulating theory and practice in overcoming the oppressions of the capitalist system.
