Gender equality threatens men’s identity by eliminating status difference

Evidence

Identity Costs of Reparations Although the perceived material costs of reparations are likely to be compelling enough to act as deterrents to men’s experience of collective guilt, a number of psychological costs are also likely to function as deterrents. Because men have historically occupied positions of high status relative to women, status, power, and their associated attributes have been incorporated into what is means to be a man (Kilmartin, 1994). Thus, even if men were to remain “masculine” in all other senses, egalitarian gender relations constitutes a cost to men’s social identity because it necessarily requires the elimination of status differences between women and men. However, gender equality is also likely to require more changes for men than simply a reduction in status. If gender inequality requires a shift in the gendered division of labor, men will be required to take on traditionally feminine roles that are currently inconsistent with a masculine identity. — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 584

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Egalitarian gender relations threaten men’s privileged position and deter collective guilt — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 583; Working-class men would fear and resent genuine equality of status — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2233; Working-class men resist status equality from fear of rejection by superiors (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Men of wealth reject equality partly because status competition gives their lives meaning. #expands (0.88) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2264
• Working-class men resist status equality from fear of rejection by superiors #expands (0.85)
• Working-class men would fear and resent genuine equality of status #corroborates (0.82) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2233
• Believing gender equality is possible but too costly suppresses men’s collective guilt. #expands (0.80) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 601