NEITHER FUNNY NOR FRIVOLOUS: EXPLORING CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS IN MALE SPACES

Abstract

Men express themselves through washroom graffiti and their expressions contribute to the placement of varied reflections of society’s shadowy experiences on the walls of washrooms, as well as showcase masculine traits. The available literature on washroom graffiti has not fully covered the extensive spectrum; meanwhile, its focus narrated just contents rather than styles, meanings, and expressions. Besides, none of the local studies has been found relevant. The study has tried to fill the gap. Orientalism and representational theories were used as basic foundation for framing all the preceding of the study, along with feminist research methodology. The study’s significance is that it collected men’s expressions and their thoughts being depicted on the walls of washrooms, which by various means becomes original data. Exploring men’s expressions and explaining masculinities through washroom graffiti tuned the main objectives of the study, and the researcher asked how men express themselves, and what kind of masculinities are being in focus or being depicted on walls of washrooms. Under the umbrella of qualitative research case study as a research design selected, and in sampling ten participants based on their degrees and professionals were interviewed with consensus at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, also the pictures of washroom graffiti taken out of the university’s washrooms. As the study centered on washrooms, which are private spaces, the researcher held the responsibility to avoid disturbing cultural norms and assurance of interviewers’ secrecies throughout the study and used probing techniques. Data was analyzed thematically and pictures were added accordingly. The study shows that in the context of washroom graffiti, above all guessing is judging plus masculinities are shaped into multiple images although there is a struggle concerning masculinity between individuals and groups whereupon one stated and many subsequently modified his understanding of masculinity on the walls of washroom.