Asian American Masculinity: A Review of the Literature

Asian American men have distinct histories and experiences within the context of masculinity. In considering gender role conflict, a concept that examines the negative impact of prescribed gender roles on both men and women (O'Neil, Helms, Gable, David, & Wrightsman, 1986), it is important to note that Asian American men are situated within the United States' White hegemonic masculinity while also negotiating their racialized minority status. Asian American men, as do other racial minorities, experience gender role conflict in relationship to and interaction with their racial identity. The purposes of this manuscript are to provide an overview of how Asian American masculinity has been shaped and challenged by U.S. society, present existing literature on racial identity and gender role conflict with particular attention to intersections of identity, and address the implications of gender role conflict on Asian American men.