Nuevas masculinidades y paternidades en estudiantes Universitarios

Abstract

This research addresses the topic of "New Masculinities and Fatherhoods Among University Students", exploring how young Industrial Engineering students at the Faculty of Systems, Electronics, and Industrial Engineering of the Technical University of Ambato perceive and experience these social transformations. The study is relevant in the current context, where traditional gender roles are being challenged, promoting more equitable masculinities and more engaged fatherhoods. This issue is particularly significant in the university setting, where students are in the process of personal and professional development, shaping their future identities and roles. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Two validated instruments were applied: the Hegemonic Masculinity Roles Inventory (HMRI) and the Paternal Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ), to a sample of 183 students, 7 of whom were fathers. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for correlational analysis, supplemented with interviews to delve deeper into participants' experiences. This research aligns with the broader study of social exclusion and integration, highlighting the need to promote models of masculinity and fatherhood that foster gender equity and emotional well-being. The findings reveal that student fathers exhibit stronger adherence to new masculinities, characterized by active and affective parenting, in contrast to their non-father peers, who still display traits of hegemonic masculinity. The study concludes by proposing an educational programmed from a Social Work perspective, aimed at fostering positive masculinities and responsible fatherhoods in the university environment.