Unveiling Implicit Stereotypes: The Praxis of Taming Men in Indian Households in Yadav’s The Anger of Saintly Men

Abstract

Gender disparity is a scourge that engulfs the life of the vulnerable and privileges the dominant one. We are living in the 21^st century with modernized thoughts of accepting and normalizing certain stereotypes that were historically marginalized. However, gender stereotypes prevail in the modernist vision. In the wake of sociocultural evolution, we welcome newly socially constructed behavior with a dynamic understanding of flipping gender roles by encouraging words such as “Strong men/women never cry”, and “I have never seen your father cry even at your grandfather’s funeral” prompt to stigmatize vulnerable men in the social spectrum. This continued notion of shutting out vulnerability has become a benchmark for achieving a high standard in society. Nevertheless, male stereotypes in today’s context superseded from being ‘aggressive’ to ‘benevolent’ which again opens a curtain for overshadowing men to act by the social labels. By employing Anubha Yadav’s “The Anger of Saintly Men” (2021), this article aims to represent vulnerable men in Indian society highlighting implicit stereotypes fed by patriarchy to men folks. Using social role theory and qualitative research methodology, this research unfolds the complexities of men’s role in Indian society. The article brings a spotlight on implicit stereotypes among men in Indian society. The findings of the research propound that voiceless men adhere to stipulated masculine norms to fit in the ambivalent society.