Masculine ideology & fatherhood: A critique of current masculinity scales and a psychological and theological response

Abstract

This dissertation develops an interdisciplinary and integrated model of masculinity. Using psychological and theological characteristics of fatherhood, a fatherhood-oriented form of masculinity is presented. In this dissertation, fatherhood is understood as masculinity in its most mature form. This model is used as an interpretive framework for critiquing and synthesizing three well-known masculine ideology scales: Male Role Norms Inventory (Levant et al., 1992), Gender Role Conflict Scale (O’Neil et al., 1986), and Conformity to Male Norms Inventory (Mahalik et al., 2003). All of these scales refer to masculine norms without explicitly addressing fatherhood. The dissertation concludes with the description of a Catholic model of masculinity which will also incorporate a psychological understanding of effective fathering.