Measurement of masculinity ideologies: A (critical) review.

Abstract

Over the 20 years since Thompson and Pleck’s review of masculinity measures, much has changed with respect to measurement of masculinity ideologies. In this review, we examine the theoretical foundations and psychometric properties of measures of masculinity ideologies. We frame the review with a brief discussion of the 2 distinct conceptualizations of masculinity ideologies, then provide a synopsis of the 16 measures that meet our selection criteria: have been used in empirical studies since 1995, were published in peer-reviewed psychology or gender-related journals, contain full presentation of psychometric properties, are not study-specific modifications of earlier scales, and focus directly or indirectly on masculinity ideologies. We show that there are now 2 generations of measures. The 1st focuses on the hegemonic, traditional masculinity ideologies in North America. The 2nd-generation theorizes local masculinities and explicitly recognizes that different groups of individuals hold different standards. These have begun to map the geography of masculinities for men of different birth cohorts, life stages, social classes, sexual orientations, cultures, and racial/ethnic communities. We conclude by suggesting that there is value for a 3rd generation of measures to capture the changing face of men’s gendered lives.