Italian and American Masculinities: A Comparison of Masculine Gender Role Norms

This study extends empirical data regarding the social constructionist perspective of gender roles by exploring cross-cultural differences in masculine role norms. An additional aim was to test for relations between adherence to particular norms and aspects of psychological well-being. In a sample of 152 Italian male students, participants endorsed less traditional views toward 9 of the 11 masculine norms of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory and reported significantly less conformity than comparable American students. Only the playboy norm received greater endorsement by Italian respondents in this sample. In addition, although male students residing in southern Italy reported greater conformity than their central Italian counterparts, they still endorsed a less traditional stance toward masculine norms than male students in the United States. The masculine norms of emotional control and self-reliance were negatively correlated with positive relations with others. Implications for research and practice are discussed.