Using Misperceptions of Masculinity among Young Fathers to Improve Health Behavior

Abstract

Building upon previous research on social norms theory and masculinity theory, this article is an attempt to apply this research to an under-represented cohort of student fathers. The finding of a misperception of masculinity is consistent with a larger study of college men across years in school and at seven different colleges and universities. The original research can be found in the monograph entitled Forging the Male Spirit, edited by Merle Longwood et al. in 2012 with a brief synopsis of the Gender Role Conflict Survey created by James O’Neil. This article explains the opportunity this misperception presents to use the finding to create positive change in behavior in a cohort of young fathers that were studied. These student fathers are part of a larger group of participants in a grant funded program through the Minnesota Department of Health through the Office of Adolescent Health. The exciting implication of this finding is that the misperception of masculinity can be used to improve the health seeking behavior of student fathers for themselves and for their children.