Masculinity and femininity as perceived by Hawaiians.

Abstract

To determine the nature of masculinity and femininity as perceived by persons in a lower-income American-Hawaiian group 109 Ss between the ages of 15 and 65 yr., living in a Hawaiian homestead community, were given 2 sets of 53 6-point bipolar personality scales to describe most masculine and least masculine males or most feminine and least feminine females. Males and females agreed on the nature of masculinity and femininity. Agreement across age groups was also found. Most masculine males and most feminine females were similar on 6 personality factors. However, they appeared to differ on some of the personality scales loading on these factors. Least masculine males and least feminine females were similar, both being described somewhat unfavorably.