A Developmental Approach to Adolescent Masculinity: Predictors and Outcomes of Adherence to Masculine Norms

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

The APA (2018) has identified “adhering to norms of masculinity among boys and men” as a significant risk factor for poor psychological adjustment. While earlier work on masculinity focused on men (e.g., Mahalik et al., 2003; Pleck, 1985; 1991), research over the past decade has focused explicitly on patterns of resistance and accommodation to norms of masculinity among adolescents and its correlates with emotional adjustment (see Gupta et al., 2013; Way et al., 2014). However, little is known about adherence and resistance to masculine norms as adolescents age, as well as its correlates with behavioral and social outcomes. This symposium examines patterns and correlates of adhering to and resisting norms of masculinity in multi-ethnic/racial samples of adolescents and young adults. Paper 1 is a mixed-method study showing how adolescent boy’s adoption of gendered language (e.g., emotional restriction) changes over time and varies across boys’ racial-ethnic backgrounds. Paper 2 reports that adherence to masculine norms is related to lower academic performance in samples from China and America. Paper 3 differentiates young men’s resistance to masculine norms from their more general non-conformity, illuminating the ways in which adherence and resistance is conceptualized. Paper 4 reports that masculine norm adherence in adolescent romantic couples is associated with the usage of more coercive strategies and less negotiation during conflict discussions. These papers underscore the importance of examining patterns of adherence and resistance to gender norms and expand the field’s knowledge of its associations with various types of outcomes across adolescence.

Sub Unit

• Sex, Gender

Chair

• Matthew G Nielson, New York University Abu Dhabi

Individual Presentations

• Trajectories of Emotionally Restrictive Language Use Among Adolescent Boys: Accommodation and Resistance to Norms of Masculinity - Presenting Author: Angelica Puzio, New York University; Non-Presenting Author: Anna Bennet, New York University; Non-Presenting Author: Niobe Way, New York University; Non-Presenting Author: Sohini Das, New York University

• Mapping Resistance and Conformity to Masculine Role Norms Throughout Adolescence - Presenting Author: Matthew G Nielson, New York University Abu Dhabi; Non-Presenting Author: Carol Lynn Martin, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Leoandra Onnie Rogers, Northwestern University; Non-Presenting Author: Sarah Lindstrom-Johnson, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Cindy Faith Miller, Texas State University; Non-Presenting Author: Hannah Michelle Berendzen, University of Texas at Austin

• Masculinity and Conflict Management in Adolescent Romantic Relationships: An Observational Study - Presenting Author: Adam Rogers, Brigham Young University; Non-Presenting Author: Thao Ha, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Clare Thomas; Non-Presenting Author: Jennifer Byon, Brigham Young University

• Adherence to Norms of Masculinity and its Association with Academic Attitudes and Achievement Among Boys and Girls - Presenting Author: Anna Bennet, New York University; Non-Presenting Author: Rui Yang, New York University Abu Dhabi; Non-Presenting Author: Angelica Puzio, New York University; Non-Presenting Author: Niobe Way, New York University