Male gender role as a function of father absence, nurturance and race

Date
1985
DOI
Authors
Washington, James D.
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Ninety-one male subjects were used in this study of sex role behavior among blacks and whites. All subjects were administered and rated themselves on the California Personality Abstract and the Ban Sex role Inventory. The study examined several dimensions in the development of masculine behavior in black and white males including father absence or presence, surrogate models, nurturance and cultural influences. The five main hypothesis explored in the study were that (1) father present males identify themselves as more masculine than father absent males, (2) father present and nurtured males identify themselves as more masculine than father present and nonnurtured males, (3) father absent males with a nurturing surrogate identify themselves as more masculine than father absent males without a surrogate or father present and nonnurtured males, (4) black males identify themselves as more masculine than white males, (5) black males identify themselves as more feminine than white males . Hypotheses 2 & 4 were confirmed, while Hypothesis 5 showed a trend in the hypothesized direction. Hypothesis l&3 were not confirmed. A correlation between the California Personality Inventory femininity scale and the Ban Sex Role Inventory femininity scale showed a significantly positive correlation for white males, while only showing a slight correlation for black males. Further, the significance of nurturance and a positive family system was evaluated. The significance of these results as well as others not directly related to the formal hypotheses are discussed. Cultural implications and suggestions for future research conclude.
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