Mancationing - Identity work, homosociality and masculinity

Based on a mixed-methods qualitative study, which followed a group of men in their late thirties to mid-forties before, during and after a trip to Italy, this paper explores mancationing.The paper takes departure in theories on homosociality, sociability, hetero-normative identity work and “men’s talk”. Key findings are that mancations fulfil needs for male bonding that extend beyond the bracket of intensive leisure time represented by the single holiday. Mancations furthermore feed into identity constructions relating to both homo-social motifs (e.g. ‘doing’ male friendship and bonding) and special interests and leisure activities (e.g. ‘being’ a football fan or searching for authentic experiences). Mancations are inscribed with homosociality that allows men ‘to be men’ and enables male identity work that refers to positional designations that are more latent in everyday life and during family holidays, where identities as partners and parents are the most salient social identities.