Contemporary Concepts of Masculinity and Femininity

Abstract

Masculinity and femininity as perceived by middle-class American men and women were investigated in two studies. Using adjective checklists and semantic differentials, Ss described most and least masculine and most and least feminine persons. The sexes generally agreed upon the nature of masculinity and femininity. Indices of relationship based upon adjective endorsements indicated that masculinity and femininity are not opposite ends of a bipolar variable; most masculine and most feminine persons have shared traits as well as differentiating ones. Least masculine and least feminine persons have traits negatively related to both most masculine and most feminine persons. The results also emphasized that descriptions of males and females undifferentiated as to degree of sex identity provide incomplete information about the nature of masculinity and femininity.