A phenomenological analysis of masculinity ideologies among college males

It was argued that use of qualitative methodology, rather than continued use of extant quantitative measures, is necessary in order for current masculinity ideologies to be fully documented. The 245 male, undergraduate student participants completed the Male Role Norms Inventory (MRNI) of Levant et al. (1992) and the Gender Role Conflict Scale of O'Neil et al. (1986). Of these, 29 also participated in an in-depth interview designed to elicit their experiences of masculinity ideology. Constant comparative analysis of the interview data revealed two core relevant themes. The first theme was that these students did have a consistent understanding of the masculinity ideology that they held for themselves and observed in society. Although this ideology corresponds highly to extant descriptions of masculinity ideology, there were also important differences. These differences included characteristics of nurturing others and expressiveness, at least in the context of one's family, that have typically been attributed solely to feminine ideology. The second theme was that these students also experienced ambivalence and uncertainty about the demands of this ideology. These results support the conclusion that these men are struggling with some changes in the traditional masculinity ideology. The data are also consistent with constructionist theories of gender which assert that differences in masculinity ideologies between groups are attributable to differences in status within society rather than differences in culture. It is suggested that future research include participants from a wider demographic range. It is also suggested that the interviews themselves would provide an ideal source from which to draw items for a more current quantitative measure of masculinity ideology.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Authors dc:creator

• Gale, Steven R., author
• Rickard, Kathryn M., advisor
• Viney, Wayne, committee member
• Cropanzano, Russell, committee member
• Zimmerman, Toni, committee member

• social psychology
• personality
• personality psychology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.026671

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/244005