The New Psychology of Men

Ronald F. LevantProfessional Psychology: Research and Practice, 1996, Vol. 27, No. 3, 259-265

Introduction (Page 1)

• Emergence of New Psychology of Men

  • Developed over the past 15 years within men's studies and gender studies.

  • Informed by feminist scholarship, it examines masculinity as a problematic construct rather than a normative referent.

• Framework for Understanding Masculinity

  • Questions traditional male role norms (competition, toughness, emotional stoicism).

  • Views male problems (aggression, violence, neglect of health) as by-products of male gender role socialization.

• Need for Gender-Specific Psychology

  • Traditional psychology has focused on men as representative of humanity.

  • Feminist scholars have advocated for a gender-specific approach, leading to a re-examination of masculinity.

• Crisis of Connection

  • Men are disproportionately represented in problem populations (substance abuse, violence, estrangement from children).

  • New pressures on men challenge traditional masculinity, leading to confusion and a masculinity crisis.

Gender Role Strain Paradigm (Page 2)

• Social Construction of Gender Roles

  • Gender roles are not biologically determined but socially constructed.

  • Traditional constructions serve patriarchal purposes; nontraditional constructions can be more egalitarian.

• Pleck's Gender Role Strain Paradigm

  • Challenges the gender role identity paradigm, which promotes patriarchal stereotypes.

  • Proposes that contemporary gender roles are contradictory and can lead to negative psychological consequences.

Masculinity Ideology (Page 2-3)

• Definition and Importance

  • Masculinity ideology characterizes attitudes toward men and male roles.

  • Different from gender orientation, which assumes inherent differences between genders.

• Variability in Masculinity Ideologies

  • Ideals of manhood differ across social classes, races, ethnic groups, and historical contexts.

  • Traditional masculinity ideology includes traits like avoiding femininity, seeking respect, and showing toughness.

Types of Male Gender Role Strain (Page 3-4)

• Discrepancy-Strain

  • Occurs when men fail to meet their internalized ideals of masculinity.

  • Associated with mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

• Dysfunction-Strain

  • Results from fulfilling male role requirements that have negative side effects.

  • Linked to violence, sexual excess, and relationship dysfunctions.

• Trauma-Strain

  • Experienced by men in particularly harsh socialization contexts (e.g., athletes, veterans).

  • Recognizes that traditional masculinity socialization can be inherently traumatic.

Normative Developmental Traumas (Page 4-5)

• Separation from Mother

  • Boys experience early separation from mothers, leading to emotional challenges in adulthood.

• Father Absence

  • Boys often identify with emotionally unavailable fathers, leading to a "father wound" that affects their relationships.

Implications for Practice (Page 5)

• Assessment and Intervention

  • Clinicians should recognize the impact of traditional masculinity ideology on men's mental health.

  • Tools like the Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS-I) and Masculine Gender Role Stress Scale (MGRSS) can be used for assessment.

• Treatment Approaches

  • Addressing discrepancy-strain may involve examining personal standards of masculinity.

  • For dysfunction-strain, exploring the relationship between manhood ideals and problematic behaviors is crucial.

  • Trauma-strain treatment may include psychoeducational techniques and male-empathic psychotherapy.

Conclusion

• The new psychology of men offers a framework for understanding and addressing the complexities of masculinity and its impact on mental health.

• It aims to improve psychological services for men and contribute to resolving the masculinity crisis and the crisis of c