Demographic and personal correlates of new masculinities: Focus on the role of emotional intelligence

Abstract

This research aims to gain a better understanding of a popular term in gender -talk, using a quantitative\rapproach. It proposes a working definition of ‘new masculinities’ and explores some of its antecedents,\rpaying special attention to the concept of emotional intelligence (EI). Given the lack of empirical\rresearch on the nature of ‘new masculinities’ and its components this study is based on a selection of\rproxy measures associated with its core characteristics, described in the literature. We proposed that\radoption of egalitarian gender role attitudes, low levels of sexism, low conformity to traditional\rmasculine norms and a tendency toward androgyny, may represent the concept effectively. In search of\rpotential correlates of new masculinity we hypothesized that EI will positively associate with measures\rof new masculinities even after controlling for background variables known to interact with gender role\rattitudes (e.g.: age and education). Two hundred and fifteen men sampled from educational and work\rsettings in northern Israel filled out measures of the above - detailed variables. Structural equation\rmodeling analysis demonstrated that: a) The proxy measures converged on a single factor, suggesting\rthey represent a single essence we call ‘new masculinities’ and (b) EI associated with the latent factor\rrepresenting ‘new masculinities’, as did age. The potential implications of our findings are discussed.