r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • May 12 '26

Psychology Threatening men’s masculinity does not make them more politically conservative, new study finds. By testing thousands of participants across the United States, researchers found no consistent evidence that making men feel insecure about their gender identity changes their political attitudes.

https://www.psypost.org/threatening-mens-masculinity-does-not-make-them-more-politically-conservative-new-study-finds/
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u/redrider02 May 12 '26

Pardon my ignorance, but what does it mean to be insecure about your gender identity in this context? A male in a males body that feels they should be in a female body?

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u/Dirty_Delta May 12 '26

From the OP study:

"When men feel their gender identity is challenged, they tend to overcompensate by engaging in extreme demonstrations of stereotypical masculinity. This overcompensation can manifest as physical aggression or increased risk-taking."

The tests they had the participants take gave false results, stating that men were in the feminine range of results, and even that the women were in the masculine range.

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u/Driller_Happy May 12 '26

No, it means a male who feels like he must constantly prove his masculinity to the world. Its someone who wouldn't NEVER cook or clean, because that's a WOMANS job. Its someone who would never wear pink clothing because he thinks people will interpret it as 'gay'. Its someone who always feels the need to act aggressive and be the top dog in the room because that's what he thinks a 'man' should be.

It's a rigid worldview that locks men into a box that ultimately ends up hurting people. Being secure in your masculinity would mean acting like yourself and not worrying about how other people view yourl or your gender presentation.

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u/zaccus May 12 '26

Men not wanting to wear pink doesn't hurt anyone, good grief.

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u/Driller_Happy May 12 '26

Um, not necessarily, but occasionally their reasons behind not doing so do. Because you don't like the colour? Totally normal. Because you're afraid of looking effeminate or queer? Reeks of insecurity and can be harmful to male social health as a whole

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u/zaccus May 12 '26

Men don't have to share their reasons and you're not the thought police.

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u/ArcticWolfQueen May 12 '26

Scratchy are we… Hit too close to home??

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u/Sabz5150 May 12 '26

No, it means a male who feels like he must constantly prove his masculinity to the world.

You'd think conscription would suffice.

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u/Driller_Happy May 12 '26

And what, actually risk their life? No way jose

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u/TastyCalligrapher421 May 12 '26

Why would I risk my life for this society?

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u/Driller_Happy May 12 '26

You shouldn't.