Integrating Male and Feminist Identities: Associations With Traditional Masculinity Norms

Men who identify as feminists may need to reconcile feminist commitments to gender equality with culturally dominant expectations of masculinity. This study examined whether male identification, feminist identification, and male–feminist identity integration were associated with masculinity norms. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 165 Australian men aged 18–64 years ( M = 30.32, SD = 10.30). Participants completed measures of male identification, feminist identification, identity integration, and seven dimensions of traditional masculinity ideology. Seven hierarchical regressions entered male and feminist identification at Step 1 and identity integration at Step 2. Stronger male identification was generally associated with greater endorsement of traditional masculinity norms, whereas stronger feminist identification was generally associated with lower endorsement. Identity integration was associated with lower restrictive emotionality, negativity toward sexual minorities, avoidance of femininity, importance of sex, and dominance, but not self-reliance through mechanical skills or toughness. These findings highlight the relevance of identity compatibility to masculinity ideology.