Bonds of burden and bliss: the management of social relations in a peacekeeping organisation

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the gendered social bonds and the everyday organisational practices and discourses of peacekeepers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on preliminary analysis of empirical material gathered through a seven‐month ethnography among Finnish peacekeeping officers in training and service.FindingsIn contrast to studies on homosociality, men's bonding and cohesion as a basis of optimal combat performance in military organisations, I suggest looking at the militarized social encounters, masculinities and collectives from the perspective of hybridity tensions and management. Peacekeepers' everyday practices and social structures can be interpreted as management of context‐specific power tensions.Originality/approachOffers a view to everyday life of peacekeeping and builds a basis for analysing men's social relations in organisations.

Reliable Professionals, Sensitive Dads and Tough Fighters

“…The interviews produced fifteen hours of recorded material, which was coded and then analysed in light of literature from critical masculinity studies (e.g. Higate 2003;Whitworth 2004;Jokinen 2009) and current studies of Nordic peacekeeping from a gender perspective (see, for instance , Tallberg 2007;Valenius 2007;Jukarainen andTerävä 2010a, 2010b;Haaland 2012).…”

“…This was seen as comprising all of the traits of a good peacekeeper: impartiality; reliability; good working morale; calm attitude; and sensitivity towards the needs of the host population. This professionalism of Finnish peacekeepers was somewhat paradoxically explained by the fact that most of them were not professional soldiers but rather reservists (see also Tallberg 2007;Vesa 2007;Terävä 2009). …”

“…As in other male-dominated institutions, traditional male bonding rituals, in the Finnish case often involving alcohol, sauna and banter, also function to strengthen informal networks among male peacekeepers and in excluding women (Tallberg 2007;Jukarainen and Terävä 2010b).…”

“…Imaginings of hegemonic Finnish military masculinity are linked both to the Winter War narrative of the 'agrarian warrior' and, to a lesser degree, to Finnish peacekeepers' assumed 'exceptionality'. Simultaneously, however, Finland regards itself as a pioneer on gender equity issues (see, for example, Tallberg 2007;Jokinen 2009;Jukarainen and Terävä 2010a).…”

“…Reservists are seen as 'ideal' for interacting with the host population in (post-)conflict settings because of their civilian background (Tallberg 2007). In the public discourse, the qualifications and behaviour of Finnish peacekeepers in general are mostly portrayed as exemplary and exceptional (Vesa 2007;Jukarainen 2012).…”