Waling, Andrea (2024) Men’s sexual health: a visible invisibility. In: Research Handbook on the Sociology of Gender :. Elgar, 254–265. ISBN 9781802206685
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Despite being a prominent and well-represented group in Western cultures, there are hidden, significant gaps in knowledge when it comes to cisgender, heterosexual men’s sexual health and wellbeing. In this chapter, I provide a sociological account of how cisgender, heterosexual men’s paradoxical visibility and invisibility in these spaces continue to contribute to gender inequalities in the sexual health and reproductive space. I then map out and advocate for a way forward in drawing attention to these gaps that do not diminish the importance of focusing on recognised marginalised groups. I do this by drawing from Eve Sedgewick’s notion of the ‘along-side’, a queer framework that allows for exploring the nuance of experiences of oppression and privilege. I use a case study of the successful impact of the inclusion of human papillomavirus vaccinations for men in the National Australian Vaccination schedule (2013). I conclude with several suggestions on how future sexual health and wellbeing research can be conducted that is attendant to key gaps raised which can contribute to gender equality initiatives.