'Manopause': sexual response changes as a threat to ageing manhood.

When men root manhood in sexual performance, their inability to get and maintain an erection (i.e. erectile dysfunction) may pose a threat to ageing men's ability to enact masculinity. Using data from the 2015-2016 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) - a nationally representative survey of the USA - this study finds that age and erectile dysfunction interact: men who report 'trouble getting or maintaining an erection' have a higher odds of reporting anxiety before sex. However, this effect gradually declines as the sample of men with erectile dysfunction ages (from ages 49 to 95). Additionally, men who do not report erectile dysfunction have the same odds of sex-anxiety throughout the sample, regardless of their age. The change in sexual performance may cause distress for men, as they feel unable to maintain their dominant masculinity in old age. While previous studies have shown that age and gender interact to affect men's sexual health in mid-life and later-life, this study adds to the feminist gerontology literature by providing indirect evidence that changes in sexual response may become gradually less anxiety-inducing, and thereby, less threatening for men as they age.

Advancing Black Men's Type 2 Diabetes Healthcare Through Addressing Gender-centered Social Norms, Cognitive Scripts, and Manhood: An Integrated Public Health Approach for Reducing T2D Disparities.

In the United States, the burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) health complications and outcomes is higher in Black men, and the diabetes disparities are escalating. Previous evidence-based research underscored the need to explore gender-specific experiences of chronic illness in social-cultural, historical, and clinical contexts. Our community-engaged qualitative study focused on learning from the live experiences of Black men (n = 15) in the Arkansas Delta area. Applying a narrative approach, we explored and learned from the participants about their perception of the consequences of T2D on manhood and the usefulness of T2D management instructions. Findings indicate that an integrated public health approach contextualizes social-cultural norms, cognitive scripts, and gender-centered expressions of manhood, a promising direction in T2D healthcare; social support is essential for emotional and physical help in continued T2D management; and connecting with Black men and their insights are vital to develop relevant and appropriate guidelines for T2D management care.

Endorsing Precarious Manhood Beliefs Is Associated With Sexual Harassment Myths Acceptance in Italian Men and Women.

The present study aimed to expand the understanding of the correlates of sexual harassment myths, a set of beliefs that serve to justify male perpetrators. Data collected among Italian adults (N = 407; 59.5% women) showed that individual levels of precarious manhood beliefs-according to which manhood is a social status that must be proven via public action-were related to greater sexual harassment myths acceptance in male and female respondents. Such associations were mediated by hostile sexism and benevolence toward men. Findings suggest that interventions to reduce tolerance of sexual harassment of women should target cultural views of manhood and counteract rigid models of masculinity and femininity.

Gaining masculine power through guns? The impact of masculinity threat on attitudes toward guns.

Gun violence is a serious problem in the United States and elsewhere and more so among men than women. We conducted an experiment to examine if men whose masculinity was threatened are more attracted to guns than non-threatened men, presumably to compensate for the threat. After completing a gender knowledge test, men (N = 168) randomly received either false masculinity threatening (experimental condition) or masculinity affirming (control condition) feedback. Subsequently, we measured men's attitudes toward guns and their choice of a gun-range voucher. Men whose masculinity was threatened (vs. affirmed) showed more positive attitudes toward guns and were more likely to choose the voucher. Both effects were statistically significant when the whole sample was analyzed and when very strict exclusion criteria were applied. However, when data exclusions were based on a suspicion check, effects were statistically significant only when a covariate was included (i.e., social dominance orientation, patriotism, or experience with guns). We discuss reasons for this mixed evidence, including the possibility that suspicion regarding the masculinity feedback could itself be a compensatory reaction to threat.

MANdatory - why men need (and are needed for) gender equality progress.

While much progress has been made towards gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, education and society, recent years have also revealed continuing challenges that slow or halt this progress. To date, the majority of gender equality action has tended to approach gender equality from one side: being focused on the need to remove barriers for girls and women. We argue that this is only half the battle, and that a focus on men is MANdatory, highlighting three key areas: First, we review men's privileged status as being potentially threatened by progress in gender equality, and the effects of these threats for how men engage in gender-equality progress. Second, we highlight how men themselves are victims of restrictive gender roles, and the consequences of this for men's physical and mental health, and for their engagement at work and at home. Third, we review the role of men as allies in the fight for gender equality, and on the factors that impede and may aid in increasing men's involvement. We end with recommendations for work organizations, educational institutions and society at large to reach and involve men as positive agents of social change.

Men's Gender Norms and Gender-Hierarchy-Legitimizing Ideologies: The Effect of Priming Traditional Masculinity Versus a Feminization of Men's Norms.

Contemporary evidence suggests that masculinity is changing, adopting perceived feminine traits in the process. Implications of this new masculine norm on gender relations remain unclear. Our research aims to better understand the influence of changing masculine norms on men's endorsement of gender-hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies. Based on Precarious Manhood Theory and Social Role Theory, we conducted two quasi-experimental studies (N = 412) in which we first assessed heterosexual men's motivation to protect traditional masculinity. Then, we informed them that men's gender norms are becoming more feminine (feminization norm condition) or are remaining masculine in a traditional sense (traditional norm condition). In the third (baseline-control) condition, participants received no information about men's gender norms. Finally, we assessed the extent to which participants endorsed gender-hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies, namely sexism (Study 1) and masculinist beliefs (Study 2). Results showed that men who were less motivated to protect traditional masculinity were less likely to endorse gender-hierarchy-legitimizing ideologies when exposed to the feminization and control conditions compared to the traditional norm condition. The implications of these findings for gender equality and gender relations are discussed.

Precarious Manhood Beliefs Are Positively Associated with Erectile Dysfunction in Cisgender Men.

The notions that manhood is hard to attain, easy to lose, and needs to be proven via public action constitute precarious manhood beliefs (PMB). PMB is a new concept and it remains unclear whether and how PMB relate to erectile dysfunction (ED) in cisgender men. The ability to achieve an erection remains considered as a cornerstone of masculinity and sexual performance can be conceived as a proof of one's masculinity. In this context, ED can be received as sexual failure and a threat to a man's masculinity and sense of adequacy. For these reasons, the hypothesis that PMB are associated with ED warranted empirical testing. In an anonymous online survey focusing on men's mental health conducted in German-speaking countries of Europe, 507 cisgender men (Mage = 44.2, SDage = 15.2) completed measures on PMB, sexual function, self-stigma, social desirability, and conformity to traditional masculinity ideology (TMI). Multilinear regression analysis with stepwise introduction of relevant covariates evaluated potential associations between PMB and ED. Of a 507 cisgendered male sample, 63.1% reported an increased risk for ED based on previously established cutoff points. Elevated levels of PMB endorsement among the men predicted reduced sexual and erectile function in all models, even when accounting for relevant control variables such as age, education, self-stigma, social desirability, or conformity to TMI. Group comparisons revealed that the men suffering from ED showed higher levels of PMB endorsement but not self-stigma nor TMI relative to men without ED. PMB are significantly associated with ED. While determining causality will require further study, our results may support the hypothesis that higher levels of PMB endorsement may lead to increased tension to perform sexually, resulting in increased psychological pressure and a higher risk to develop ED.

Something to Prove? Manhood Threats Increase Political Aggression Among Liberal Men.

Manhood is a precarious state that men seek to prove through the performance of masculine behaviors-including, at times, acts of aggression. Although correlational work has demonstrated a link between chronic masculine insecurity and political aggression (i.e., support for policies and candidates that communicate toughness and strength), experimental work on the topic is sparse. Existing studies also provide little insight into which men-liberal or conservative-are most likely to display increased political aggression after threats to their masculinity. The present work thus examines the effects of masculinity threat on liberal and conservative men's tendency toward political aggression. We exposed liberal and conservative men to various masculinity threats, providing them with feminine feedback about their personality traits (Experiment 1), having them paint their nails (Experiment 2), and leading them to believe that they were physically weak (Experiment 3). Across experiments, and contrary to our initial expectations, threat increased liberal-but not conservative-men's preference for a wide range of aggressive political policies and behaviors (e.g., the death penalty, bombing an enemy country). Integrative data analysis (IDA) reveals significant heterogeneity in the influence of different threats on liberal men's political aggression, the most effective of which was intimations of physical weakness. A multiverse analysis suggests that these findings are robust across a range of reasonable data-treatment and modeling choices. Possible sources of liberal men's heightened responsiveness to manhood threats are discussed. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11199-023-01349-x.

Boys Round Here: The Relationship Between Masculine Honor Ideology, Aggressive Behavior, Race, and Regional Affiliation.

Masculine honor ideology (MHI) refers to a set of beliefs that dictate men must respond aggressively to threat or insult to maintain their ideal masculine reputation. The current study demonstrates the robust relationship between MHI and lifetime aggression outcomes in a national sample of men from the United States. It also details the regional prevalence of MHI and compares these rates across races and regions of the country. Participants included 896 adult United States men (Mage = 35.86, SD = 1.22) recruited on Amazon's Mechanical Turk. It was expected that the odds of endorsing past aggressive behavior and lifetime maladjustment would be increased by stronger adherence to MHI. This hypothesis was supported, and individuals who reported greater MHI adherence also had higher rates of lifetime aggression and maladjustment. Contrary to expectations, White, non-Hispanic men endorsed lower rates of MHI than did other men. Black men adhered more strongly to MHI than White and Hispanic men. It was also expected that men in the Southern and Western United States would endorse greater MHI in comparison to men in the Northeast United States. The hypothesis was only partially supported for White, non-Hispanic men, and it was associated with participant birthplace and their father's birthplace. There were no regional differences in MHI adherence related to the participants' mother's birthplace or where participants lived at survey completion. These findings suggest that MHI may spread more uniformly than prior research suggests and that MHI may have more nuanced cultural considerations that deserve continued empirical investigation.

Medicalization and manhood: Is an ADHD diagnosis emerging for allegedly troublesome boys in Accra, Ghana?

Although mental health diagnoses and treatments are spreading across the globe, most medicalization research originates from the Global North, where diagnosis and treatment are well institutionalized. In this article, we examine the earliest possible emergence of ADHD diagnosis and treatment in the context of Ghanaian boys' transition towards manhood. Based on ethnographic fieldwork among boys from different class backgrounds in Accra in 2017, we identify how interactional troubles arising at the tricky transition to manhood provide a fertile or inhibiting context for medicalization. Torn between norms of obedience, autonomy and striving for societal achievements, boys face obstacles on the road towards manhood that are not yet medicalized. We demonstrate that boys and adults use specific idioms (in Ghanaian local language Twi) to describe issues around overactivity and inattention, but do not refer to medical categories. Instead, we witness an emerging shift towards psychological counselling, potentially supported by global mental health actions, and Pentecostalism. This psychologizing might constitute an intermediate step towards medicalization of troubling interactions. However, the colonial stigma of psychiatric labels and the limited reach of psycho-medical institutions in Ghana make medicalization unlikely. At the same time, there is a possibility for medicalization at the intersection of interactional problems, inequality, the global spread of psychiatry and transition to manhood. Medical labels and potentially ADHD might shift the blame from family to "disease". The incipient introduction of diagnosis and treatment might engender a creolized notion of ADHD with disrespect being a core problem.

The politics of kitchen work: Co-production of a retired man's "hegemonic masculinity" during the COVID-19 quarantine.

This article documents the reconstructed domestic masculinity of a retired Chinese man during the COVID-19 quarantine period in China. It is based on participant observation of the man and his family as a case study. It demonstrates how the man turns kitchen work into a "masculine" job, and uses it as a contested terrain for constructing hegemonic masculinity by adopting scientific discourse explicitly and traditional patriarchal discourse implicitly. It also highlights women's conscious and deliberate interactions with the man in contributing to the making of hegemonic masculinity for the sake of their own values of happiness. The author seeks an understanding of the intersection of aging, patriarchal norms, and women's agency through the case of the co-production of a retired man's hegemonic masculinity in the context of the COVID-19 quarantine.

The Role of Masculinity Threat in Homonegativity and Transphobia.

According to the precarious manhood perspective, masculinity threat triggers various compensatory mechanisms and heightens motivation to restore and reaffirm masculinity via typically masculine attitudes and behaviors. Four experiments aiming to examine the effect of masculinity threat on prejudices toward sexual and gender minorities were undertaken, controlling for adherence to sex role stereotypes. Our studies showed that Polish men representing university and high school students exposed to gender threat experienced increased negative affect (Experiment 1) and expressed higher prejudices toward gay people (Experiment 2) and transgender individuals (Experiments 3a and 3b). Furthermore, Experiment 2 revealed an effect of masculinity threat on modern prejudices predominantly toward gay people but not old-fashioned homonegativity. The results are discussed in terms of the role of masculinity threat as the mechanism responsible for gender differences in the attitudes toward sexual and gender minorities.

Precarious Manhood and Its Effects on Aggression: The Role of Cultural Script.

The present study tests the precariousness of manhood and the impact of precarious manhood on aggression. In total, 50 undergraduates (25 girls, 25 boys) participated in this experiment. It was found that the male participants used more verbs in the "A man should__" sentence string than in the "One woman should__" sentence string, and similar language patterns were found even after controlling for gender stereotypes. Individuals were found to more often attribute the individual behavior caused by cultural scripts to external situational factors; that is, if individuals agreed that another male's aggression was due to threatened manhood, this behavior was seen to be because of the male cultural script and was due to external circumstances. To test this view, a total of 56 college students participated in this experiment. In total, 25 college students (11 males, 14 females) took part in the attribution evaluation of two male fighters, and 31 college students (15 males, 16 females) participated in the attribution evaluation of two female fighters. It was found that the male participants believed that other male physical aggression that threatened their manhood was induced by situational factors rather than the internal characteristics of the attacker. The differences between the female participants were not significant, indicating that it was part of the male cultural script for men (rather than women) to defend or restore precarious manhood through aggression.

African American Manhood and self-rated health: What demographic characteristics, health conditions, and aspects of manhood matter?

Few studies have tested what aspects of manhood are associated with health. In this study, we examine how aspects of African American Manhood are related to health. Using cross-sectional data from a criterion sample of 300 African American men 35-73 years old (M = 46.53), we examined how aspects of African American Manhood, demographic characteristics, and health conditions were related to self-rated health. When we controlled for demographics, SES and health conditions, different aspects of manhood were associated with good/excellent health. Across four linear regression models, we found that the Religion and Spirituality factor was the component of African American Manhood most strongly associated with good/excellent self-rated health. The Religion and Spirituality factor was the only aspect of African American Manhood that remained significant when we controlled for SES and health conditions. Neither Reputation, Respectability, nor aspects of role strain remained significantly associated with good/excellent self-rated health when we controlled for SES and health conditions. In analyses examining the relationship between lower odds of good/excellent self-rated health and aspects of ethnic identity, only Afrocentric subscales that highlight behaviors that demonstrate a connection to Africa (e.g., celebrating Kwanzaa) and greater importance of learning about African culture or spiritual beliefs in Africa remained significant. Finally, we found that African American men who reported a body mass index in the normal range, an income level above $50,000, being employed, and having no chronic conditions were more likely to report good/excellent self-rated health than African American men who reported poor/fair health.

Integration of voluntary male medical circumcision for HIV prevention into norms of masculinity: findings from Kisumu, Kenya.

While it is clear that in many communities ideas about masculinity and circumcision are connected, it is still unclear how young Kenyan men in the former Nyanza province from the traditionally non-circumcising Luo people perceive voluntary medical male circumcision as connected to masculinity and the role of voluntary medical male circumcision in the transition from boyhood to manhood. The objective of this study was to explore norms of masculinity and the decision-making process among Luo young men to provide a better understanding of how circumcision and masculinity relate to cultural norms within this community. The methodology consisted of eight FGDs with male peer groups and 24 in-depth interviews to elicit young men's perceptions of masculinity and voluntary medical male circumcision. Findings from thematic analysis reveal that young men described several key characteristics of masculinity including responsibility, bravery and sexual attractiveness. For some young men, voluntary medical male circumcision has embedded itself into cultural norms of masculinity by being a step in the transition from boyhood to manhood and by being a marker of some of these masculine characteristics. In the case of voluntary medical male circumcision, there may be opportunities to integrate other programming that helps men transition into healthy adulthood.

Precarious Manhood Predicts Support for Aggressive Policies and Politicians.

Precarious manhood (PM) theory posits that males are expected to actively maintain their reputations as "real men." We propose that men's concern about failing to meet masculine standards leads them to embrace policies and politicians that signal strength and toughness-or what we term political aggression. Three correlational studies support this claim. In Study 1, men's fear of failing to meet masculine expectations predicted their support for aggressive policies (e.g., the death penalty), but not policies lacking aggressive features (e.g., affirmative action). Studies 2 and 3 utilized Google searches to assess the relationship between regional levels of PM and real-world electoral behavior. The use of search terms related to masculine anxieties correlated with Donald Trump's vote share in the 2016 general election (Study 2) and, confirming preregistered predictions, with Republican candidates' vote shares in 2018 congressional elections (Study 3). We close by discussing potential sources of variation in PM.

Developing Adolescent Boys Toward Adaptation of Male Sexual and Reproductive Health in Communities With Embedded Cultural Manhood Values.

Manhood values are highly prioritized among most culturally orientated South African Black communities with an ideology that revolves around the concept of masculinity. The notion of manhood values is deeply rooted in male dominance, sexual drive, and traditional male circumcision. The goals of this study were to (a) explore the experiences of school health nurses in the provision of sexual and reproductive health among adolescent boys; and (b) recommend suggested action to develop adolescent boys to adapt a healthy behavioral lifestyle through a health-promoting school program. This study employed a qualitative approach utilizing a descriptive and exploratory research design. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion was used to guide the study. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for individual interviews to collect data. A total of 21 school health nurses were selected to participate in face-to-face interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS ti (version 8) software. Five overarching themes were yielded and categorized as facilitators, barriers, and suggested action to improve sexual and reproductive health services as follows: (a) legislative frameworks and policies; (b) male medical circumcision, and prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs; (c) lack of support from teachers and school-governing bodies; (d) risky sexual behaviors among the learners; and (e) empowerment and personal skills development. The study concludes with a discussion and recommendations that a comprehensive health-promoting school program should be developed for adolescent boys with guaranteed ownership and sustainability of male sexual and reproductive health.

An Online Behavioral Health Intervention Promoting Mental Health, Manhood, and Social Support for Young Black Men: The YBMen Project.

Conventional definitions of mental health, manhood, and social support create barriers to accessing behavioral health care for Black men ages 18 to 30. Targeted behavioral health interventions sensitive to culture, social norms, and gender that circumvent these barriers are desperately needed to improve access and integrated care for this group. This article reports mixed methods findings from the 2017 iteration of the Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project, a social media-based, psychoeducational program that promotes mental health, progressive definitions of manhood, and sustainable social support for Black men. Young Black men (n = 350) across two universities in the Midwest completed baseline surveys on their mental health, definitions of manhood, and social support. Forty of the men participated in the YBMen intervention and at postintervention reported experiencing fewer depressive symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, Z = -2.05, p < .01) and the Gotland Male Depression Scale (GMDS; Z = -1.76, p < .05). There were also changes on the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI) for Self-Reliance (Z = -0.34, p = .26) and Heterosexual Self-Presentation (Z = -0.18, p = .59), though these changes were not statistically significant. A qualitative review of postintervention interviews revealed participants' appreciation of the YBMen project and its influence on their mental health, manhood, and social support. Programmatic efforts that support the behavioral health, positive development, and social relationships of Black men translate into positive families, communities, and experiences as they live, learn, love, and work over the life course.

Masculinity threats influence evaluation of hypermasculine advertisements.

The precarious manhood paradigm posits that many men view their gender as a social status that must be earned and maintained, and can be lost. The present study applied the precarious manhood paradigm to a hypermasculine advertisement. A sample of 208 men was collected online. Using a false feedback paradigm, men's masculinity was either threatened, or not threatened. The men then viewed one of two commercials. One commercial was a neutral, control advertisement, and one was a hypermasculine advertisement. We also measured participants' endorsement of masculine norms. Results of a moderated moderation analysis indicated that men in the threat condition were more likely to view the hypermasculine advertisement as being masculinity-enhancing, if they also endorsed the masculine norms of Winning, Heterosexual Self-Presentation, and Power over Women. Results for future research applying precarious manhood to advertising, and implications for clinical work with men, are discussed.

Longitudinal associations between features of toxic masculinity and bystander willingness to intervene in bullying among middle school boys.

Bystander intervention (i.e., a third party decides to defend a victim when witnessing a conflict) has been identified as an effective strategy to resolve bullying incidents (O'Connell, Pepler, & Craig, 1999). Researchers suggest that student willingness to intervene (WTI) is a robust predictor of bystander intervention (Nickerson, Aloe, Livingston, & Feeley, 2014). Toxic masculinity has been defined as "the constellation of socially regressive [masculine] traits that serve to foster domination, the devaluation of women, homophobia, and wanton violence" (Kupers, 2005, p. 71). Though some aspects of toxic masculinity (e.g., low empathy) have received some empirical attention regarding their role in determining prosocial behavior, many aspects of toxic masculinity have not. Little research has examined how constructs such as attitudes surrounding bullying and sexual harassment, social dominance orientation, and homophobic bullying are related to longitudinal changes in WTI across adolescence. The present study uses growth mixture modeling (GMM) to examine the heterogeneity of WTI among middle school boys in the Midwest (N = 805). Students were classified into three profiles of WTI over time: a "stable high" class (70.9%), a "decreasing" class (22%), and a "stable low" class (7.1%). When compared with the "stable high" class, students with higher levels of dominance and pro-bullying attitudes were associated with an 11% (AOR = 1.11, 95% CI [1.01-1.21] and a 55% (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.05-2.31] increase in the odds of being in the "decreasing" class, respectively. Youth who reported higher rates of homophobic name calling perpetration had a 16% (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.02-1.34] increase in the odds of being in the stable low class compared to the stable high class. Additionally, both homophobic name calling victimization and empathy were associated with a 17% (AOR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.70-0.98] and 18% (AOR = 0.82, 95% CI [0.69-0.98] lower odds of being in the stable low class. The findings support the theoretical framework which posits that features of toxic masculinity are associated with less WTI and thus carry implications for intervention design (Carlson, 2008; Leone et al., 2016).