Configuration of masculinity in male adolescents tobacco smokers

Abstract

The consumption of tobacco in adolescence is increasing, particularly in the male population. Objective: to analyze the configuration of masculinity in heterosexual adolescent male smokers from a high school in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Materials and methods: from the theoretical perspective of masculinities, a qualitative case study was carried out with eight boys through purposeful sampling. After informed consent and assent, eight semi-structured and in-depth interviews were carried out, as well as three projective drawings with their narration. Narrative and iconographic analysis and methodological triangulation were carried out through ATLAS.ti. Results: smoking reaffirms masculinity among male peers through: homo-socialization spaces that allow acceptance in the group, labels such as “joto” are avoided for those who do not smoke and the “honor of being man”, of being recognized is preserved. Conclusion: the study demonstrates that smoking in adolescent men shapes their masculinity, “being a male” challenges what is established, it is a vehicle for homo-socialization and it is related to risk.