Masculinity, Femininity, and the Dynamics of Marriage in Military-Connected Families

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Abstract

How are marriages sustained when families are embedded within institutions that demand mobility, sacrifice, and occupational primacy? Drawing on an original online survey of 367 individuals in heterosexual marriages connected to the U.S. military, this study reconceptualizes gender in family dynamics by examining masculinity and femininity as distinct dimensions of self-concept. Using t-tests, OLS regression, and generalized ordered logistic regression models, I assess how these gendered orientations are associated with marital satisfaction, satisfaction with military life, and preferences regarding continued service. Masculinity remains gender-differentiated and is higher among those with military experience, whereas femininity is broadly shared across women and men. A clear asymmetry appears across domains: femininity is positively associated with marital satisfaction, while masculinity is more strongly associated with institutional satisfaction and support for continued service. These findings indicate that gendered self-concepts—not gender category alone—influence how military-connected families navigate the intersection of intimate relationships and institutional commitment.

Author

• Seth Andrew Behrends, University of Illinois-Chicago