“It might be nice to be a girl... Then you wouldn’t have to be emotionless”: Boys' resistance to norms of masculinity during adolescence.

Abstract

This article examines the patterns of resistance to norms of masculinity (i.e., emotional stoicism, physical toughness, and autonomy) and its association to psychological and social adjustment among boys from preadolescence through late adolescence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted longitudinally with a sample of 55 White, Black, Latino, and Chinese American boys from 6th grade to 11th grade. Our analyses indicated that boys' resistance to norms of masculinity is explicit and implicit and is prevalent during adolescence, with 78% of the boys in our study demonstrating moderate to high levels of resistance typically during the middle school years. Four trajectories of resistance over time were detected: (a) decreasing resistance; (b) stable moderate-to-high levels of resistance; (c) stable low levels of resistance; and (d) mixed patterns of resistance. White, Black, and Chinese American boys were the most likely to suggest a decline in resistance from pre-to late adolescence, whereas the Latino boys were the least likely to suggest such a decline and the most likely to suggest stable moderate-to-high levels of resistance throughout adolescence. Findings suggest that resistance to norms of masculinity enhances psychological and social adjustment for boys during adolescence and is deeply influenced by the context in which boys are embedded.

Supporting boys' healthy resistance to masculine norms.

“…Kimmel advises that although boys have the capacity to resist masculine norms, they cannot do it alone; they need an ally. Way et al's (2014) study confirms that trusting, reliable relationships can provide the validation and support they need to remain true to themselves when faced with pressures to conform, and are there fore crucial to boys' resistance.…”

“…Consistent with calls to update the content of boys' socialization (e.g., messages about masculinity), Way et al (2014) recognize the impact of cultural values and suggest expanding our constructions of masculinity to include the need and desire for closeness, which are stereotypically associated with femininity but are, in fact, a part of one's humanity. Also acknowledging the importance of contexts in boys' socialization, and the focus in boyhood cultures on hier archy and competition, Way et al (2014) note how boys' popu larity among their peers can enhance or hinder their possibilities, which raises questions about how to support boys at each level of power and status, and how boys might be able to support each other.…”

The effects of age, gender, and gender role ideology on adolescents’ social perspective-taking ability and tendency in friendships

“…The current finding that boys' endorsement of stereotypic gender roles and behaviors increases from early to later adolescence is consistent with other research documenting boys' increased adherence to gender roles across adolescence (Way et al, 2014). In contrast, older adolescent girls in the current study held significantly less stereotypical beliefs than younger adolescent girls.…”

Reimagining Social and Emotional Development: Accommodation and Resistance to Dominant Ideologies in the Identities and Friendships of Boys of Color

“…A growing body of research indicates that development is, in fact, a process of both accommodation and resistance to dominant ideologies [Anyon, 1984;Brown & Gilligan, 1992;Gilligan, 2011;Hammack, 2008;Robinson & Ward, 1991;Rogers, 2018a;Rogers & Way, 2016;Way, 2011;Way, Cressen, Bodian, Preston, Nelson, & Hughes, 2014;Way et al, 2018]. Resistance, furthermore, has been linked to positive adjustment and accommodation to negative adjustment [Gupta et al, 2013;Rogers, 2018b;Rogers, Yang, Way, Weinberg, & Bennet, under review;Santos, 2010;Ward, 2018;Way, 2011;.…”