Η ανδρική ταυτότητα κατά την αντίληψη δύο γενεών Ελλήνων. Ανίχνευση της σχηματικής σταθερότητας και αλλαγής της ανδρικής ταυτότητας

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to examine societal conceptions of male identity and any changes that might have occurred in these conceptions in two different aged groups (representing two different generations of Greeks). We examined the contents of male gender schema, any possible changes during time and the influence it has on male behavioural expectations. In order to examine these, Study A' took place. A descriptive research of qualitative character, which was supported by a validity study. The results of this study led to Study B'. A descriptive study of quantitative character (Factor Analysis) and an experimental empiric study. The first (descriptive) research concerned the contents of male gender schema and any possible changes to it during time. Participants were asked to generate two events. One inappropriate and one appropriate to the male role, as well as the most common (according to their opinions) vocational interests and personality traits of men in order to record and compare the attitudes, cognition's and representations towards masculinity. A total of 120 people (60 men and 60 women) representing two chronologically distinct groups participated in this project. Generation A' comprised of approximately 60 people (30 female and 30 male, M= 21 years old). Generation B' also comprised of approximately 60 people (30 female and 30 male, M=50 years old). Thematic analysis was used to indicate the most common themes representing the core of the male gender schema and x2 was used to estimate the statistical significance of the perceived similarities and differences between the two groups and also the attitudes between the two groups towards deviation from traditional cognitions. A series of characteristics and activities emerged that constitute the core of the male gender schema (ex. protective, in charge, independent, attends his family, worker) which is, however, susceptible to redefinition, as new characteristics are added to this core (ex. "good manners" "affectionate companion", "sentimental expression") because the socioeconomic changes and their influence in societal conceptions of masculinity differentiate the content of male gender schema. There is also a validity study that checks the in between subjects validity of content analysis. In this study we checked if participants conceive the characteristics and the activities and group them in a similar way as thematic analysis. For each thematic category we chose the four of the most representative words or phrases (according to frequency of report in study A') and we constructed two questionnaires. One for men’s characteristics and one for men’s activities. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used for the regrouping of men’s characteristics and activities. A total of 115 participants, female and male, (M=19 years old) answered the first questionnaire regarding characteristics and 113 participants, female and male, (M=19 years old) the second questionnaire regarding activities. Results show the convergence between the categories that were produced by participants and those subjectively produced by the researcher.