tudies suggest that adolescent boys tend to exhibit heightened aggression when they feel that their masculinity is at risk, particularly when faced with societal expectations to adhere to conventional masculine standards. The research emphasizes the necessity of addressing these pressures in adolescence to curb detrimental behaviors associated with fragile masculinities.
It’s a well-known fact that some men exhibit aggressiveness when they perceive a threat to their manliness. But when does this behavior surface during their development—and for what reason? According to a recent study conducted by psychology experts, adolescent boys could also react aggressively if they sense their masculinity is being challenged—especially those raised in environments with strict, traditional gender norms.
The results, published today (July 15) in the Developmental Science journal, emphasize the impact of social pressure that many boys encounter as they strive to fit the stereotypical portrayal of masculinity.
Influence of Social Pressures and Negative Behaviors Associated with Masculinity Challenges
“Not all men respond aggressively to threats against their manhood—we have previously discovered that it’s predominantly men who face societal pressure to conform to traditional masculinity that tend to be the most aggressive under such circumstances,” said Adam Stanaland, a postdoctoral researcher at New York University and the lead author of the study. “Now we have evidence that certain adolescent boys exhibit similar reactions, indicating the roots of these potentially harmful processes.”
“In addition to aggression, threats to manhood are linked to various negative, antisocial behaviors, like sexism, homophobia, political prejudices, and even anti-environmental attitudes,” Stanaland added. “Our findings stress the necessity of actively confronting the rigid norms and social pressures that boys face to fit the stereotypical masculine image, particularly during puberty and influenced by parental and peer dynamics.”
Experimental Design and Study Procedure
Studies have consistently revealed that perceived threats to men’s gender conformity—aligning appearance and behavior with societal standards for men and women—can drive them to engage in behaviors aimed at reaffirming their gender alignment. The researchers of this new study aimed to explore the development of this behavior and the social contexts in which it manifests.
Stanaland, during his time as a doctoral student at Duke University, led an experiment involving over 200 adolescent boys and one of their parents in the United States. The boys initially reported on whether their drive to embody masculinity stemmed from internal motives or was influenced by seeking approval or avoiding disapproval from others. Subsequently, the boys participated in a game where they had to answer five questions pertaining to typical masculine traits (e.g., “Which of these tools is a Phillips-head screwdriver?”) and five questions relating to stereotypical feminine attributes (e.g., “Which of these flowers is a poppy fairy?”). They were randomly informed that their scores either matched the typical traits of their gender (non-threatening) or deviated from them (a “threat” to their masculinity).
To gauge aggression levels, the participants were tasked with a cognitive exercise: completing a series of word stems (e.g., “GU_”) that could be filled aggressively (e.g., “GUN”) or non-aggressively (e.g., “GUY” or “GUT”). The proportion of aggressive word completions served as a key indicator in this widely used task.
Discoveries and Future Research Implications
The study also factored in demographics and other variables. To pinpoint the life stage at which gender conformity could impact aggression, the boys—upon parental consent—answered questions from the Pubertal Development Scale, a validated standard for puberty assessment. Their responses pertained to changes in their voice, facial hair growth, among others, ranked on a scale of 1=not yet started, 2=barely started, 3=definitely started, or 4=seems complete. Participants could opt for “I don’t know” or “Prefer not to say” responses for any item due to the sensitivity of the scale.
Additionally, the researchers examined external sources that might encourage the boys to strive for typical gender roles, including pressures from peers, parents, and self-imposed standards. Parents of the participants were also surveyed about their gender-related beliefs.
The experimental outcomes revealed the following:
- Similarly to young adult men, adolescent boys in mid-to-late puberty (but not earlier) responded with aggression when faced with perceived threats to their gender conformity.
- Higher levels of aggression were observed among boys who felt pressured by others to conform to gender norms, rather than being internally driven to do so.
- The boys most prone to displaying this “pressured motivation” were those whose parents endorsed traditional views on men’s superiority and authority.
“Men’s aggressive behavior poses challenges for societies worldwide, affecting public safety and personal relationships greatly,” noted Andrei Cimpian, a professor at NYU’s Department of Psychology and the senior author of the study. “By identifying when and why specific boys begin exhibiting aggressive reactions to threats against their masculinity, this research marks a crucial initiative in preventing the development of ‘fragile’ masculinities—masculine identities that constantly require validation and reinforcement—and their myriad adverse outcomes among adult men.”
Image Source: New Africa / Shutterstock
