Gender socialization of boys and (un)intended consequences

Throughout the United States and around the world, boys are socialized to be men through a rigid set of prescriptive and proscriptive masculinity rules called the Guy Code. While not all boys adhere to the teachings of the Guy Code, such as be powerful and tough, hide vulnerable emotions, and be a player, they all are exposed through dominant masculine gender socialization processes that start early in childhood and continue through adolescence and beyond. In addition to providing an update on the gender socialization of boys, this article briefly unpacks biological and more essentializing theories of sex differences out of which the primary theories of boys’ gender socialization have grown. Additional focus is placed on exploring community and culturally-based factors and the mechanisms through which boys are socialized into the Guy Code, as they start to develop a masculine sense of self as early as 2 and 3-years-old. The primary mechanisms include community-based gender teachings delivered to boys in the home environment and at school, along with more systemic popular culture and media-based representations of “manhood.” While understanding the social phenomena of gender socialization processes is important, it is essential to also consider related well-being consequences for boys regarding mental and relational health and school functioning. Lastly, translational implications and recommendations will be put forward with the goal of supporting all boys to optimize their own happiness, well-being, and self-expression. When discussing and exploring gender, it is easy to overgeneralize and stereotype. As is the case with all socially-delineated groups, boys possess a breadth and depth of diversity. Thus, while focus will be placed on the dominant masculinity messages and teachings through which society strives to indoctrinate all boys, it is important to note that many boys can and do resist society's blueprint for manhood.