Masculinity Ideology: Its Impact on Adolescent Males' Heterosexual Relationships

Abstract

This paper calls attention to the impact of masculinity ideology, an aspect of gender‐related attitudes, on adolescent males' heterosexual relationships. Previous approaches to the male gender role and close relationships, and attitudes toward the male gender role (the operationalization of masculinity ideology), are briefly reviewed. Data from the 1988 National Survey of Adolescent Males are reported. With sociodemographic and personal background factors controlled, males who hold traditional attitudes toward masculinity indicate having more sexual partners in the last year, a less intimate relationship at last intercourse with the current partner, and greater belief that relationships between women and men are adversarial—characteristics suggesting less intimacy in their heterosexual relationships. They also report less consistent use of condoms, specific attitudes about condoms associated with low condom use, less belief in male responsibility to prevent pregnancy, and greater belief that pregnancy validates masculinity. These associations persist when more global gender role attitudes are controlled. Traditional masculinity ideology is thus associated with characteristics suggesting limitations in the quality of adolescent males' close heterosexual relationships, and increased risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

A Qualitative Analysis of Father–Son Relationships among HIV-Positive Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…In HIV research, many discussions of masculinity have focused on the negative or risky implications of masculinity beliefs, which are frequently associated with high-risk behaviors such as sexual partner concurrency and inconsistent condom use. 36,38 Interestingly, one recent study found that having more male family network members and confidants was associated with lower HIV rates among YBMSM. 43 Therefore, although endorsement of traditional masculinity beliefs tends to increase risk, there may also be a necessary and risk-lowering aspect to masculine socialization, which many of our participants were missing.…”

“…[33][34][35] Higher levels of agreement with traditional masculinity beliefs are generally associated with risk behaviors such as sexual partner concurrency and inconsistent condom use. [36][37][38] Some researchers have suggested that growing up with non-resident fathers is associated with less adherence to traditional masculinity norms, 39 which might be interpreted as portending lower sexual risk. On the other hand, other work in adult black MSM described lack of masculine socialization from absent biological fathers in childhood and adolescence as a potentially detrimental influence on partner selection and risky sex later in life.…”

Beyond Abstinence and Risk: A New Paradigm for Adolescent Sexual Health

“…And girls who report more sexual self-efficacydability to act on their sexual needsdare more likely to have used condoms at first intercourse (Impett, Schooler, & Tolman, 2006). Boys also need to be bolstered in their autonomy so they are better equipped to resist rigid masculinity norms, whichdlike rigid femininity normsdcan undermine contraceptive use and sexual health (Pleck, Sonenstein, & Ku, 1993).…”

Adolescent and Young Adult Male Health: A Review

“…Increase the number of primary care settings that implement evidence-based alcohol screening and brief intervention SA- 13 Reduce past-month use of illicit substances SA- 14 Reduce the proportion of persons engaging in binge drinking of alcoholic beverages SA- 18 Reduce steroid use among adolescents Sexual and reproductive health FP-9 Increase the proportion of adolescents aged 17 yr and under who have never had sexual intercourse FP-9. 2 Increase the proportion of male adolescents aged 15 to 17 yr who have never had sexual intercourse FP-9.…”

“…11,12 Among adolescents and young adult males, masculine beliefs have not only been associated with poor sexual health outcomes, but also poorer mental health outcomes and lower levels of engagement with health services. [13][14][15][16] Thus masculinity has implications for both engaging young men in health care and for maximizing their health status.…”