Masculine Identity
All people have a unique developmental path with biological, familial, social, and cultural factors being important influences. One of the central components of this is development of our gender identity, which is our identification with “masculine” or “feminine” characteristics. This is a central point of reference on how we think of ourselves as men and engage in the world.
"Masculine" is the term used to describe things typically ascribed to maleness. All cultures ahave had versions of masculinity that are promoted among the people. Some cultures subtly encourage men to adopt certain forms of masculinity whereas others demand strict conformity.
Levant et al (1992) summarized traditional (hegemonic) American masculinity into seven principles/attitudes:
(1) restrict emotions
(2) avoid being feminine
(3) focus on toughness and aggression
(4) be self-reliant
(5) make achievement the top priority
(6) be non-relational
(7) objectify sex
(8) be homophobic
Another popular structuring of this was by David & Brannon (1976), who described the four standards of traditional American masculinity:
(1) “no sissy stuff”
distance self from femininity, homophobia, avoid emotions
(2) “be a big wheel”
strive for achievement and success, focus on competition
(3) “be a sturdy oak”
avoid vulnerability, stay composed and in control, be tough
(4) “give em hell”
act aggressively to become dominant
Finally, there is a long standing debate about whether gender is socially constructed (meaning that is primarily is a product of learning and socialization) or whether is emanates from our biological sex and is more "hard-wired" and connected to evolutionary forces. I believe there overwhelming evidence at this point that it is an interaction between biology, socialization, culture, and individual psychological factors that produces our gender identity. For example, there is convincing evidence that there are brain structural and hormonal differences (testosterone) between men and women that predispose (most) people toward personality and behavioral characteristics that correspond to their biological sex; family influences and social learning can help shape, engender, or suppress these characteristics; the larger culture has an influence on the various ways gender identity can be expressed; and individual psychological differences will relate to the style that things are acquired and expressed.
Next: Gender-Role Conflict
Sources/Further Reading
David & Brannon (1976). The Forty-nine percent majority: The male sex role. Addison-Wesley.
Levant et al (1992). The male role: An investigation of norms and stereotypes. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 14, 325-337.
Gregor (1985). Anxious pleasures. University of Chicago Press
"Masculine" is the term used to describe things typically ascribed to maleness. All cultures ahave had versions of masculinity that are promoted among the people. Some cultures subtly encourage men to adopt certain forms of masculinity whereas others demand strict conformity.
Levant et al (1992) summarized traditional (hegemonic) American masculinity into seven principles/attitudes:
(1) restrict emotions
(2) avoid being feminine
(3) focus on toughness and aggression
(4) be self-reliant
(5) make achievement the top priority
(6) be non-relational
(7) objectify sex
(8) be homophobic
Another popular structuring of this was by David & Brannon (1976), who described the four standards of traditional American masculinity:
(1) “no sissy stuff”
distance self from femininity, homophobia, avoid emotions
(2) “be a big wheel”
strive for achievement and success, focus on competition
(3) “be a sturdy oak”
avoid vulnerability, stay composed and in control, be tough
(4) “give em hell”
act aggressively to become dominant
Finally, there is a long standing debate about whether gender is socially constructed (meaning that is primarily is a product of learning and socialization) or whether is emanates from our biological sex and is more "hard-wired" and connected to evolutionary forces. I believe there overwhelming evidence at this point that it is an interaction between biology, socialization, culture, and individual psychological factors that produces our gender identity. For example, there is convincing evidence that there are brain structural and hormonal differences (testosterone) between men and women that predispose (most) people toward personality and behavioral characteristics that correspond to their biological sex; family influences and social learning can help shape, engender, or suppress these characteristics; the larger culture has an influence on the various ways gender identity can be expressed; and individual psychological differences will relate to the style that things are acquired and expressed.
Next: Gender-Role Conflict
Sources/Further Reading
David & Brannon (1976). The Forty-nine percent majority: The male sex role. Addison-Wesley.
Levant et al (1992). The male role: An investigation of norms and stereotypes. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 14, 325-337.
Gregor (1985). Anxious pleasures. University of Chicago Press