AMBIGUITIES OF MASCULINITY AFTER RIVER BANK EROSION DISPLACEMENT: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON PERCEPTION AND EXPERIENCE OF DISPLACED MALE SLUM DWELLERS IN DHAKA CITY

Abstract

Bangladesh is a riverine country and millions of people are displaced from their place of origin due to effect of riverbank erosion. This is one of the most endemic natural hazards in Bangladesh, which caused millions of people homeless, landless, and property less. In this consequence, ill-fated erosion victims are bound to displace from their origin place, and move to urban areas mainly in slums for maintaining and sustaining their livelihood. Study explored the perception and experience of erosion displaced male slum dwellers‟ in Dhaka city. Importantly, study also selected the Barisal city slums for finding a comparison between the largest and centrally located urban area, with a coastal urban place erosion displaced male slum dwellers‟ perception. Mainly, study is pointed-out that, how geographical variation impacted on traditional patriarchal male psychology due to erosion displacement shifting roles and responsibility in family. For this reason, study has selected the Dhaka city slums at large as well as Barisal city slums to conduct the research. Men and women experience and cope-up differently with the riverbank erosion displaced situation. Moreover, because of erosion induced displacement from the homeland, as household head men face multifarious difficulties to perform his traditional roles and responsibilities towards his family members. Since, men and women both are integral part of a family, it is necessary to engage men along with women in social policy formulation to eradicate the traditional gender division of labor in family. This study provides valuable lights on gender-based crisis mainly in terms of focusing its changed male roles and responsibilities after riverbank erosion displacement period. This research has assessed, the perception of men about the shifting gender roles and responsibilities after displaced in Dhaka and Barisal city slum areas. Study has investigated the coping mechanism of displaced men and women experience over exchanged gender division of labor that, create ambiguity with the traditional patriarchal norms and regulations in family. Regarding, in effect of recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of masculinity after displacement period.

In this connection, study has revealed that although, after displacement shifting gender roles and responsibilities impacted on male psychological point of view in effect of established patriarchal male attributes. But, in Dhaka city erosion displaced males‟ cope-up and adjustment mechanism strategy is found satisfactory level, contrast with Barisal city displaced male slum dwellers. Finally, this study finding illustrates that, reform masculine attributes influence over the male construction on patriarchal social structure, and which make them bound to endure with the shifting roles and responsibilities for maintaining a sustainable livelihood after erosion induced displacement phase.