The responses of African American men to dominant norms of masculinity within the United States

Abstract

In this study, responses of White/European American and African American men to dominant norms of masculinity within the United States were investigated. A general model for male identity formation is presented including the influence of cultural perspectives, dominant cultural norms, and specific circumstances. A questionnaire identifying 24 specific male gender role messages was administered to 451 White/European American men and 58 African American men. Results of this study suggest that at age 18 African American men report similar perspectives about masculinity as do White/European American men, but as they grow older their views of masculinity tend to diverge from the views held by White/European Americans.