This article by Prof. Dr. Azamat Seitov and Sofia Vakhidova focuses on regional differences in masculinity in Uzbekistan and examines this topic through Kimberly Crenshaw’s intersectional approach. The authors demonstrate that male roles in society cannot be explained solely through the category of gender: they are simultaneously influenced by region, age, type of settlement, economic opportunities, migratory mobility, and the structure of family relationships.
The article uses official statistical data on marriage and divorce rates, age profiles for marriage and divorce, as well as information on women’s entrepreneurship and migration by region as its empirical basis. Based on these data, the authors conclude that Uzbekistan is not a homogeneous space in terms of family norms: expectations of men as spouses, fathers, breadwinners, and family leaders vary across different regions.
Particular attention is paid to how the growth of women’s economic activity, urbanization, and migration are changing traditional family models. In urban and more economically mobile environments, the male role is gradually shifting from that of the sole breadwinner to a more partnership-based model, which includes participation in child-rearing, the sharing of responsibilities, and family dialogue. In regions where the extended family plays a strong role and economic opportunities are limited, traditional expectations remain more entrenched.
The main practical conclusion of the article is the need for region-sensitive social and gender policies. The authors emphasize that a unified value framework of equal opportunities must be maintained, but specific tools should vary: in some places, preventing family conflicts and preparing young families is more important, while in others, family mediation, legal counseling, employment support, and the development of positive models of involved fatherhood take precedence.
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
