A recent study sheds light on how adolescent boys can exhibit aggressive behavior when feeling that their masculinity is threatened, especially in environments with rigid gender norms.
The study, published in Developmental Science, highlights the impact of societal pressures on boys to conform to stereotypical masculine ideals.
Researcher Adam Stanaland notes that men who feel pressured to adhere to traditional masculinity are more prone to aggression in response to threats, a pattern also seen in adolescent boys.
Negative behaviors linked to masculinity threats include aggression, sexism, homophobia, and more, emphasizing the need to challenge restrictive gender norms imposed on boys.
The study aimed to understand how threats to men’s gender typicality can trigger harmful behaviors and the role of social environments in this process.
Over 200 adolescent boys and a parent participated in the experiment led by Stanaland, examining motivation for masculinity and responses to gender-specific tasks.
Aggression was measured through a word completion task, with results showing heightened aggression in boys facing threats to their gender typicality, particularly if motivated by external pressures.
Factors like pubertal development, parental beliefs, and peer pressure were considered in analyzing the impact of gender conformity on aggression in adolescent boys.
The study revealed that boys in mid-to-late puberty, driven by external pressures for gender typicality, were more likely to exhibit aggressive responses to threats.
Addressing such behaviors early can help prevent the development of fragile masculinities and their negative effects in adulthood, according to lead author Andrei Cimpian.
Contributors to the study included researchers from Duke University and NYU, with funding support from the Charles Lafitte Foundation.
