Femininity, Masculinity, and Feminist Identity: Variation by Race-Ethnicity

• In Event: 035 - Section on Sex and Gender Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 17. Identities and Attitudes

Abstract

This study examines adherence to femininity among women, masculinity among men, and identification with feminism among both women and men using a sample of university students. Our preliminary results indicate some significant differences in level of adherence to femininity and masculinity across racial-ethnic groups, although adherence to femininity and masculinity tended to be at least moderate in level for all racial-ethnic groups. Our preliminary findings also suggest at least moderate identification with feminism for all groups of women in our study; black women may identify more with certain aspects of feminist identity than other women, however. Finally, the men in our study appear to endorse some aspects of a feminist identity; this endorsement may be somewhat stronger among Asian men compared to other men.

Authors

• Ann M. Beutel, University of Oklahoma

• Barbara Ann Borden, University of Oklahoma

• Stephanie Woodham Burge, University of Oklahoma