Rethinking masculinity in politics: Measuring what matters

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Publication Details

Journal
Politics and the Life Sciences
Published
2026-09-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/pls.2026.10025
Primary Topic
Gender Roles and Identity Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Rethinking masculinity in politics: Measuring what matters

Amanda Friesen, Claire Gothreau
Politics and the Life Sciences
Gender Roles and Identity Studies
article

Rethinking masculinity in politics: Measuring what matters

Amanda Friesen, Claire Gothreau
article en

Abstract

Amid growing public discourse about a "masculinity crisis," political scientists have sought to measure masculinity as an identity distinct from binary sex. This paper advances a continuous framework for assessing self-perceived masculinity rather than fixed categories. We review measures of masculinity used across the social sciences, zeroing in on self-perceived measures and what they have contributed to the political science literature. Drawing on original survey data, we show that continuous masculinity (and femininity) predict political participation, attitudes on force issues, and broader ideological orientations. We conclude by calling for renewed attention to masculinity as a political identity-one that can be measured continuously and helps explain patterns of backlash, hierarchy maintenance, and participation in contemporary politics. Integrating expectancy-discrepancy models of masculine identity, we propose new directions for understanding how feelings of masculine threat and loss shape political behavior in an era of shifting gender norms.

Politics and the Life Sciences
Western University (CA), Lebanon Valley College (US)
Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Gender Roles and Identity Studies
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Rethinking masculinity in politics: Measuring what matters — Amanda Friesen, Claire Gothreau · Politics and the Life Sciences (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS