Ethnicities and masculinities in the making: A challenge for social work in Guam.

Abstract

This dissertation has five chapters and develops four major themes: an analysis of ethnic change in the context of the U.S. territory of Guam; a review of perspectives of masculinities in Guam; an analysis of the socialization of Chamorro and Filipino young men into adulthood; and the development of 'embedded research' as a means to advance the integration of social work theory and practice through organizational theory. Chapter 1 introduces the dissertation and provides an overview of its rationale and organization. Chapter 2 examines the Spanish and American colonial history of Guam pertaining to ethnic change which is analyzed in its social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions. Findings show that this process of 'ethnicization' has created new socioeconomic strata with indigenous Chamorros competing with other ethnic groups at higher levels and recent Micronesian immigrant groups being relegated to the bottom of this new hierarchy. This historical and theoretical exploration of ethnic change is then linked with changing gender ideals and practices in Guam. Chapter 3 deals with perspectives of masculinities, how ideals and realities of men have changed over time, and current differences among men within and between ethnic groups. It is concluded that ethnicity, gender, and class need to be viewed as cross-cutting, not separate, social divisions. Chapter 4 explores and describes familial and organizational contexts, gender ideals and practices, as well as selected patterns of social problem behavior of Chamorro and Filipino youth based on a youth survey conducted in Guam. Findings document significant statistical differences between Chamorros and Filipinos and between young men and young women in terms of violent behavior, substance abuse behavior, and sexual behavior. In the last chapter, the author contends with the question of how social research on ethnicity, gender, and class can be transformed into social action. Three case examples illustrate how the author has used his social research to develop the concept of embedded research. This concept utilizes organizational theory to develop an action oriented social work research approach which is embedded in core units of organizational populations.