Influence of Masculinity on Boys and Men

Study Breaks Down Boys into Two Groups

In a recent study, researchers broke down adolescent participants into two groups: an early puberty group and a late puberty group. The study found that threats to masculinity only started to have an effect in the later puberty group.

Why the Difference?

The researchers suggested that this difference may be due to the fact that boys go through puberty at different ages. As boys’ bodies start changing, there is an expectation for them to act in stereotypically masculine ways, similar to adult men. Additionally, there are vast cognitive changes that occur during this time, allowing boys to grasp social pressures with more nuance.

Threats to Masculinity

The study found that threats to masculinity can predict aggressive responses among boys in later adolescence and young men. The researchers used a word completion task to measure aggressive thinking, which has been linked to actual violent behavior.

Parental Influence

The study also found that parents’ beliefs about masculinity were a strong predictor of whether their sons reported being pressured to be stereotypically masculine. Specifically, parents who endorsed hegemonic masculinity, which emphasizes men’s need to be powerful, dominant, and in control, were more likely to have sons who reported feeling pressured to conform to traditional masculine norms.

Economic Anxiety and Masculinity

The study found that economic anxiety and poverty were associated with a greater endorsement of hegemonic masculinity. The researchers suggested that this may be due to the fact that men who are under economic stress may be more likely to cling to traditional masculine norms as a way of maintaining their sense of status and power.

Political Implications

The study’s findings have implications for our understanding of the political beliefs and behaviors of boys and men. The researchers suggested that the appeal of politicians like Trump may be due in part to their ability to tap into masculine anxiety and provide a sense of status and power to men who feel threatened by economic uncertainty.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of considering the social and economic sources of pressure to conform to traditional masculine norms. The researchers suggest that addressing these pressures will require a nuanced understanding of the ways in which masculinity is constructed and reinforced in our society.

FAQs

Q: How did the researchers threaten the boys’ masculinity?
A: The researchers used a word completion task to measure aggressive thinking, which has been linked to actual violent behavior.

Q: What did the study find about parental influence?
A: The study found that parents’ beliefs about masculinity were a strong predictor of whether their sons reported being pressured to be stereotypically masculine.

Q: What are the implications of the study’s findings?
A: The study’s findings have implications for our understanding of the political beliefs and behaviors of boys and men, and highlight the importance of addressing the social and economic sources of pressure to conform to traditional masculine norms.