Masculinity and Men’s Choice of College Major

• In Event: 4284 - Section on Sociology of Sex and Gender Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 08. Gender in the Academy

Abstract

We investigate whether adherence to masculinity and choice of college major are related among
university men in the United States. Our multivariate results indicate that men’s level of
conformity to certain masculine norms is associated with their postsecondary field of study. In
particular, we find men’s adherence to the masculine norm of emotional control is associated
negatively with choosing a major in clinical and health sciences, arts and humanities, and
vocationally-oriented fields compared to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) and doctoral-track medicine (e.g., pre-medical and pre-dental) fields. Conformity to the
masculine norm to focus on work also is related negatively to choosing a major in arts and
humanities and vocationally-oriented fields compared to STEM and doctoral-track medicine.

Authors

• Ann M. Beutel, University of Oklahoma

• Stephanie Woodham Burge, University of Oklahoma

• Barbara Ann Borden, University of Oklahoma