Male Role Research Articles

Exploring the Social Exchange of Manhood and Masculine Norms Among Black Heterosexual College Men

ABSTRACT Traditional masculine norms state men are tough, protective, and sexually assertive. Young Black men must weigh the rewards and costs of adhering to or deviating from these norms within the college environment, as their choices can be detrimental to their health. Using the ecological-exchange framework, we examined adherence to or deviation from traditional masculine norms from focus groups with 13 Black heterosexual men at two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and one Minority-Serving Institution. Participants formed their masculinity through experiences with male role models and mothers but felt conflicted in their need to adhere to or deviate from norms. This reflects the processes men go through to develop their masculinity and highlights needed interventions focused on cultivating healthy masculinity.

‘A Universal Father and Son Story’? The Representation of Father-Son Relationships in Zach’s Ceremony, In My Blood It Runs, and Robbie Hood

ABSTRACT First Nations boys and men are heavily freighted with colonial stereotypes that give them to be antisocial, drug-addicted, violent, and harmful to their own communities. While men are consistently represented as neglectful or abusive fathers, Aboriginal boys are depicted as potential criminals whose childhood is blighted, and who lack guidance from suitable father figures or male role models. This article addresses three depictions of father-son relationships which engage different strategies for addressing negative stereotypes of Indigenous boys. Aaron Petersen and Alec Doomadgee’s Zach Ceremony (2016) is analysed in terms of its internalisation of settler-colonial problematisations of Indigenous masculinities and over-investment in the male role-model discourse that frames settler disparagement of Aboriginal communities. I then turn to In My Blood It Runs (2019) and Robbie Hood (2019) as examples of representations that articulate more complex and ambivalent navigations of colonial stereotypes and appropriations of ‘Indigenous masculinities’, and that largely avoid and critique settler discourse on Aboriginal boyhood.

인도 고전무용 쿠치푸디에 나타난 젠더 변화와 새로운 실험

This paper undertakes an examination of the historical origins, performance style, and evolutionary trajectory of Kuchipudi, a classical Indian dance originating from the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh. Traditionally, due to restrictions, women were not permitted to participate in Kuchipudi, resulting in men assuming the female roles, thereby contributing to its distinctive appeal. This gendered performance practice, notably exemplified in works like Bhamakalapam, contributed to the distinctive character of Kuchipudi. Additionally noteworthy is the actor’s dual portrayal of Madhavi/Madhava, seamlessly alternating between male and female roles, with corresponding stage divisions to accommodate these transitions. However, the tradition has undergone significant transformations, particularly since the 1960s. Vempati Chinna Satyam, a pioneering figure in Kuchipudi’s modern evolution, introduced reforms aimed at broadening its accessibility and appeal. These reforms included casting men in male roles and allowing women to perform previously restricted female roles, even including male deities such as Krishna and Shiva portrayed by women. Chinna Satyam’s experimental approach sought to align Kuchipudi with contemporary artistic and societal expectations, leading to its widespread popularity both nationally and globally. Nevertheless, these changes have sparked debates surrounding Kuchipudi’s cultural identity and authenticity. Of course, traditions are not fixed and can always be reinvented. But it’s also important to remember that too much experimentation can often lead to destruction rather than creation. The case of Kuchipudi deserves serious consideration.

Resilient Traditions, Modern Realities

This study explores the political economy of Minangkabau, a culturally rich and the world�s largest matrilineal community. The research focuses on understanding the power dynamics between men and women by conducting a gender analysis. The findings reveal that Minangkabau women hold a unique and privileged societal position. Traditionally, societal expectations allocate more roles and responsibilities to men, particularly in economic and political domains. Contemporarily, the special rights held by women have faded and been replaced by dominant male gender roles. Some gender roles have begun to disappear, such as the role of Bundo kanduang, mamak and tigo tungku sajarangan. In accessing economic resources, Minangkabau women experience challenges from men, private parties, and the government. These ignore the role of women as the legitimate owners of inherited property in Minangkabau land. Meanwhile, Minangkabau women have difficulty competing with men within systems that tend to be biased for political resources. In addition, Minangkabau women increasingly participate in productive work, demonstrating their ability to compete with men in the labor market. Despite these advancements, the study highlights a challenge for Minangkabau women. Keywords: Matrilineal, Gender, Political Economy, Gender Roles, Resources, Gender Division of Labor

‘Sons go wrong without fathers’: Australian children and absent serviceman fathers in the Second World War

This article analyses the perceived problems and proposed solutions concerning absent Australian servicemen fathers during the Second World War, and places them within the broader context of contemporary ideas about masculinity. The absence of servicemen fathers led to concerns from all areas of society about the impact on their children, in particular sons. There were fears that being raised solely by women would lead to boys becoming lonely, effeminate, spoilt, or juvenile delinquents. It was suggested that existing male family members, such as uncles and grandfathers, as well as male teachers, act as surrogate fathers and become role models. Boys’ clubs, such as Scouts and the YMCA, also provided boys with access to male role models, and their weekly meetings, Father Son events, and camping provided opportunities for imparting the ‘code of boyhood’ and the development of masculine qualities.

How entrepreneurial role models impact on entrepreneurial outcomes: A gender perspective

This paper examines whether male and female students respond differently when exposed to predominantly masculine or feminine role models. Drawing on Social Cognitive Career Theory, we explore if the exposition of individuals to entrepreneurial role models can significantly influence their entrepreneurial outcomes in terms of entrepreneurial intentions (EI), entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and entrepreneurial learning (EL). We collected data from 106 engineering students attending an entrepreneurial program in 2019/20 with an exposition to a prevalent male entrepreneurial role model, and from 88 engineering students attending the same program in 2022/23 where the exposition was a prevalent female entrepreneurial role model. A pre- and post-course survey was run in both years to measure differences in ESE, EI and EL. Results reveal a gender effect in EI, as female role models boost female students’ confidence and improve their intention to start entrepreneurial activities. EL increased independently by the gender. Finally, female role models impact the ESE of female students, while male role models impact both. This research extends intention-based analysis by incorporating gendered structural barriers, shedding light on their demonstrable influence on entrepreneurial outcomes.

Positive and Negative Gender Role Beliefs and Intimate Partner Violence.

An ethnically diverse sample of 384 male and female undergraduates was assessed for their gender role beliefs based on positive (family responsibility) vs. negative (male dominance and female submissiveness) aspects derived from Hispanic cultural traditions. Negative male and female gender role beliefs were significantly positively correlated with reported victimization by and perpetration of severe intimate partner violence (IPV) for both men and women. Positive male gender role beliefs were negatively correlated with reported victimization by and perpetration of IPV for both men and women, with women also providing some evidence that positive female gender role beliefs were associated with less IPV.

Women’s Revenge in Sexual Behavior? An Interpretation About “The Fourth Love” in Chinese Youth Culture From the Perspective of Gender Performativity

In the current era of exploring changing sexual behavior, promoting and supporting the diversity of pleasure, the sexual health and rights of sexual minorities are getting more public attention, among which the “Fourth Love” emerges as a distinctive group within the framework of Chinese culture. Fourth Love refers to a loving relationship between couples of the opposite sex where the woman assumes the traditional male gender role and the man assumes the traditional female gender role, and always accompanied by a special pattern of sexual behavior that women penetrate the men’s anus using their fingers or a device. This theoretical article begins by introducing and discussing the historical background, core concept “Fourth Love” and its related categories. Subsequently, we start from Judith Butler’s gender performativity theory and interpret the Fourth Love from the perspective of “de-naturalization” and argue that the gender performativity theory provides a reasonable explanation for the gender characteristics (female top and male bottom) of the Fourth Love. Finally, we posit a discussion and outlook on the survival and development of the Fourth Love in the fields of sexual health, sexual pleasure, sexual right, and family and marriage, and calls for more understanding and psychological support from the society for them.

A Comparison of Women's Image in Women's Films in Chinese and Western Cultures from a Female Perspective --Carol and Woman-Demon-Human

In the different cultural backgrounds of China and the West, the trend of feminism and related films is different. The image of women is an important part of Chinese and Western culture and a special product of the times, which is extremely important for the understanding of female subjects and social development. Based on the films Woman-Demon-Human and Carol, this paper aims to explore the survival status of women and the manifestation of feminist awakening in different times from the aspects of feminism, self-consciousness, and gender differences, to show the dilemmas and struggles faced by women in modern China and the West, as well as the impact of gender manifestation on women. Women who can break through the inherent pattern, get rid of the fate of the male gaze, and have independent subjective consciousness are particularly valuable. The American movie Carol, with Carol and Therese as the main characters, tells the story of women with different personalities who have found themselves in life and have the courage to resist the pressure of the world and the oppression of patriarchal society. Woman-Demon-Human, directed by Huang Shuqin, tells the story of Qiuyun, who is obsessed with the art of opera, plays a male role, and dedicates her life to the stage. These two films portray the image of a true woman who can be autonomous and self-controlled, and deserve to be compared and analyzed in detail in terms of feminist awakening.

Juvenile social play predicts adult reproductive success in male bottlenose dolphins

For over a century, the evolution of animal play has sparked scientific curiosity. The prevalence of social play in juvenile mammals suggests that play is a beneficial behavior, potentially contributing to individual fitness. Yet evidence from wild animals supporting the long-hypothesized link between juvenile social play, adult behavior, and fitness remains limited. In Western Australia, adult male bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops aduncus ) form multilevel alliances that are crucial for their reproductive success. A key adult mating behavior involves allied males using joint action to herd individual females. Juveniles of both sexes invest significant time in play that resembles adult herding—taking turns in mature male (actor) and female (receiver) roles. Using a 32-y dataset of individual-level association patterns, paternity success, and behavioral observations, we show that juvenile males with stronger social bonds are significantly more likely to engage in joint action when play-herding in actor roles. Juvenile males also monopolized the actor role and produced an adult male herding vocalization (“pops”) when playing with females. Notably, males who spent more time playing in the actor role as juveniles achieved more paternities as adults. These findings not only reveal that play behavior provides male dolphins with mating skill practice years before they sexually mature but also demonstrate in a wild animal population that juvenile social play predicts adult reproductive success.

Adherence to Gender Roles on PTSD Symptoms of Hurricane Harvey Survivors

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between trauma and adherence to gender roles among a sample of Hurricane Harvey survivors (N = 225). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from natural disasters has been associated with an increased risk of negative psychological outcomes. Previous studies have found increased risks of PTSD resulting from hurricane exposure, and there also appears to be a correlation between PTSD and gender. Specifically, women have been found to be more likely to endorse PTSD symptoms. However, this relationship has not yet been examined specifically among survivors of trauma from natural disasters. The Hayes Process Macro (v3.5) was utilized to test for the potential moderating effect of adherence to traditional gender roles on the relationship between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms, as well as trauma exposure and depression. Results indicated that adherence to traditional female gender roles significantly moderated the relationships both between trauma severity and PTSD symptoms and between trauma severity and depression. Those with more androgynous gender roles have been found to have an increased ability to utilize more situation-specific coping skills. Future research could explore the specific aspects of traditional female and male gender roles that increase or decrease ability to cope with trauma.

The Effect of the Gender Inequality Sensitivity Training Program Based on Active Learning

In the study, it was aimed to test the effectiveness of the Gender Inequality Sensitivity Training Program Based on Active Learning, which was prepared to develop sensitivity to gender inequality. The research was conducted with 26 participants studying in the Guidance and Psychological Counselling department of a university in the Central Anatolia Region in the 2019-2020 academic year. This study is a mixed-method research. In the quantitative part of the research, a quasi-experimental application was conducted with a 2x2 pre-test-post-test control group. In the qualitative part, the activity products and assignments obtained during the training were evaluated. The quantitative data of the research were collected through the Attitudes towards Gender Roles Scale and Personal Information Form, and the qualitative data were collected through the activity products and assignments obtained during the training. A 12-week-long Gender Inequality Sensitivity Training Program Based on Active Learning was applied to the experimental group. The findings showed that the training program increased the gender roles total attitude scores and traditional gender role scores of the experimental group participants significantly. In addition, after the experimental procedure, it was determined that there was a significant difference in favour of the experimental group regarding the total score, female, traditional, and male gender role sub-dimensions between the experimental and control groups. Qualitative findings showed that the program increased participants’ awareness of gender issues.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: The Evolution of Masculinity in Geri-action and Its Implications for Male Hegemony

In 2023, a new adventure film called Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiered in theaters around the globe. In this film, Harrison Ford returns to his iconic role as Indiana Jones, showcasing a new perspective on action-packed adventures with seasoned heroes, which brings forth exciting new possibilities. Examining Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, this study delves into the development of masculinity in older action heroes, highlighting how these seasoned protagonists can challenge traditional notions of male hegemony. The study employs discourse analysis to examine the portrayal of Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones and draws comparisons to previous iterations and other characters within the genre. This analysis highlights the film's departure from conventional portrayals of masculinity, indicating a movement towards dismantling gender norms and challenging male hegemony. The analysis highlights the importance of older heroes in portraying changing perspectives on masculinity and male roles in today's society. This study presents a fresh outlook on gender studies, highlighting the importance of portraying masculinity in film in a more nuanced way. It advocates for breaking away from traditional norms and promoting diversity in storytelling and character development.

Education as an arena for anti-feminism: devaluation of femininity in primary education

ABSTRACT In the European context, there have been discussions for many years about how the number of female and male teachers in primary education should be more balanced. This story is also linked to the deteriorating school performance of boys, who are perceived as lacking male role models in schools. Thus, the feminization of primary education is often seen as an undesirable condition that should be rectified. This pejorative perception of feminization of education is related to the broader trends of anti-feminist politics, and this anti-feminist backlash is gradually being introduced into education as well. This article presents two case studies, Germany and Czechia. The analysis is based on data collected in 2015–2020 from ethnographic research in elementary schools, data from analysis of policy documents and media output, data from a systematic literature review, and quantitative research. In conclusion, three re-masculinization strategies used to devalue femininity in education are presented. First, ‘female climate’ as a reason for boys’ failure; second, father figures missing in education; third, promoting ‘gender diversity ‘as pretext to bring back more men and masculinity. All strategies share an antifeminist core because they all devalue women and femininity and reinforce the current gender order.

Postpartum Depression in Fathers: A Systematic Review.

Background/Objectives: Postpartum depression is usually defined as a major depressive episode that occurs shortly after childbirth. This condition is most commonly found in females; however, paternal postpartum depression has begun to attract more research attention. This study aims to identify different instruments for measuring this mental health problem and to detect risk factors as well as the main sources of resilience in paternal postpartum depression. Methods: A literature review was conducted following the PRISMA method. Results: After analyzing 10 articles, it was determined that the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale is the most widely used instrument for the diagnosis of postpartum depression in the female population, and after several studies, it has already been validated for the male sex. After several studies were analyzed to highlight the main risk factors for paternal postpartum depression, it was established that the most influential factor is male gender role stress. These findings highlight the traditional role of fathers today. Most health professionals see the mother as the priority. Conclusions: Paternal depression is a major problem for mothers and fathers today, as well as for the newborn. As time goes on, there is a growing need to incorporate fathers into current and future mental health programs to be able to provide the necessary support.

The Impact of Role Models on Women’s Self-Selection into Competitive Environments

In this paper, we show that competitive female role models reduce women’s perceived stereotype threat and increase their willingness to compete. Competitive male role models have the opposite effect: they reduce women’s willingness to compete, and the gender gap in tournament entry increases. Results are strongest for the best performing women who would benefit most from competing. Role models have no impact on low performing women, and on men.

Long-term effects of the Paraguayan War (1864-1870) on intimate partner violence

This study investigates the long-term effects of the Paraguayan War (1864–1870) on intimate partner violence (IPV). The identification relies on a novel historical dataset that uses the distance from regions to military camps during the war and military camps' sizes to proxy the impact of the war across Eastern Paraguay. The likelihood of modern-day IPV is found to be 5.54% higher than the average in areas that were more heavily affected by the war. Consistent with relative improvements in female labour participation and human capital posing a threat to the traditional male breadwinner role in households, the evidence confirms that reduced gender differences in the labour market and human capital accumulation after the war increased the long-term likelihood of IPV. As non-gender types of interpersonal violence are found to be unaffected in the long run, I conclude that the gender norm caused by the war enabled IPV, arguing that women's empowerment is a multi-faceted phenomenon wherein some dimensions, such as IPV, have a greater influence than others.

Beyond the Spotlight: Unveiling the Takarazuka Revue's Complex Legacy of Art, Gender, and Society

The Takarazuka Revue, a distinctive all-female Japanese musical theatre troupe, is renowned not only for its lavish productions and the unique approach of having women perform male roles but also as a subject of extensive socio-cultural discourse. This article meticulously examines the troupe as a microcosm reflecting a broader spectrum of societal issues in Japan, such as deep-rooted gender discrimination, systemic bullying, and the subjugation and objectification of women. The investigation is both critical and detailed, unveiling the darker aspects of the institution, including the oppressive and authoritarian practices within the Takarazuka Music School, the gruelling transformation of women into performers, and the manipulation of art as a medium to perpetuate traditional gender norms and societal expectations. Furthermore, the article delves into the psychological impacts on the individuals involved, scrutinising the long-term effects of power dynamics and stringent training regimes. It artfully argues that the Takarazuka Revue, once a beacon of theatrical innovation and excellence, now stands as a complex symbol of the intertwined relationships between art, gender roles, and societal structures in Japan. The article provides a balanced perspective, acknowledging the artistic value and cultural significance of the Revue while critically analysing its broader societal implications. Through this in-depth analysis, the article aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the Takarazuka Revue and its role in Japanese culture, encouraging a reassessment of the intersection between art and social norms, including gender dynamics.

Exploration of Girls’ Role Models: Are there Female STEM Role Models in Sight?

This study explores the presence and impact of female role models in Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) education due to the underrepresentation of girls in STEM fields. The objective is to assess girls’ role models, particularly the role they play in their interest and in a career choice in STEM.A survey was distributed through an online panel and 546 valid answers from girls aged 14-20 in Germany were received. The analysis links to social cognitive theory and revealed that immediate family members (50,1%), musicians, actors and artists (12,4%), and media influencers (9,6%) were the top role model categories. Male role models dominated in teachers, entrepreneurs, and friends, while female role models were prominent in the family category. Female scientists and entrepreneurs who could serve as STEM role models, were found to be underrepresented. The study also showed that girls with STEM occupational role models in their immediate surroundings were more likely to have an interest in STEM subjects.

Unveiling Gender Biases in Recruitment: A Natural Language Processing Approach

This paper investigates the potential of AI to identify gender biases in recruitment for senior management positions in businesses, dealing with many documents. It aims to unravel the impact of gender biases in job advertisements as a possible reason behind the underrepresentation of women in the corporate world. An innovative experiment that extracts and analyses 2.198 job offers published in February and September 2021 in the Financial Times newspaper is presented. Natural language techniques are used. These methods identify the most frequent terms and their appearance rate in the advertisements showing the gender biases they generate. By enabling the analysis of many documents, the method allows the accurate identification of gender biases. This use is unique in management studies. The results show a strong co-occurrence of terms associated with male roles in the studied sectors. The concept of agentic-communal role differentiation, rooted in the Identity, homosocial, and TM-TM theories, supports the findings. This knowledge will contribute to using NLP to discover gender biases in recruitment for high decision-making positions proposing action to improve the present situation. Should more women ascend to decision-making positions, selection processes should be improved to reflect a more neutral language. At the same time, cultural changes should be promoted in the corporate world toward more inclusive workplaces.