Professional Men's Attitudes toward Race and Gender Equity

Abstract

This study examined adult men's attitudes toward race and gender equity and their sexual harassment proclivities in relation to male identity status and traditional masculinity ideology. It was hypothesized that a male identity characterized by dependence on a male reference group for one's gender role self-concept would be related to traditional attitudes about masculinity, and both would be associated with attitudes unsupportive of race and gender equity and attitudes conducive to the sexual harassment of women. Conversely, it was also hypothesized that a male identity characterized by not being dependent on a male reference group for one's gender role self-concept would be related to attitudes supportive of race and gender equity, not having attitudes conducive to the sexual harassment of women, and not endorsing traditional attitudes about masculinity. Support for both hypotheses was found, and implications of the findings for understanding men's psychosocial functioning are discussed.