Patterns of Gender Role Conflict and Strain: Sexism and Fear of Femininity in Men's Lives

TLDR

Men’s gender role conflict and strain arise from rigid gender socialization, masculine mystique, and fear of femininity, producing six distinct patterns of conflict and strain. The study proposes ten assumptions explaining how gender role socialization and sexism cause psychological dysfunction for men and women. The author develops these assumptions and offers four counseling recommendations to address the psychological dysfunction stemming from gender role socialization and sexism. The six patterns are described, highlighting their impact on men’s psychological and physical well‑being.

Abstract

This article describes men's gender role conflict and strain that emanate from rigid gender socialization. The author proposes 10 assumptions about how gender role socialization and sexism can be psychologically dysfunctional for both men and women. The masculine mystique and value system and men's fear of femininity produce six patterns of gender role conflict and strain in men's lives. These patterns are discussed and their effects on men's psychological and physical well being are presented. Four recommendations for counselors and psychologists are offered to increase sensitivity to gender role conflict and decrease the emotional pain in people's lives caused by sexism and restrictive gender role socialization.