“Men can't handle it”: Portuguese youngsters reifying and contesting masculinities through online media

This chapter examines the construction of masculinities through new media among Portuguese youth, drawing from a broader study on youth, media, gender, and sexuality. It aims to analyze the discursive frameworks surrounding masculinity, its intersection with online experiences, and its connection to broader gender dynamics. The research, conducted through semi-structured interviews with 11 participants, explores various aspects of online engagement, including information-seeking, activism, porn consumption, and sexting.

The findings reveal a complex interplay between masculinity and media, highlighting how boys often engage in banter and humor surrounding sexuality, potentially at the expense of marginalized groups. Participants discussed gendered expectations regarding sexual development, with boys seen as inherently more sexual yet also vulnerable to media influences. The study also delves into homosocial dynamics in porn consumption, the experiences of non-heteronormative masculinities, and the gendered economy of explicit images.