Pew Research Center has just published a fascinating new report on masculinity. Brace yourself for some surprises: 73% of Republican men now reject locker room talk, nearly half of Republicans express approval of stay-at-home dads, and yet a third of Americans feel frustrated about the state of affairs for men.
How is masculinity being redefined, what are the core frustrations, and where’s the unexpected common ground between Republicans and Democrats?
Compulsory caveat: attitudinal surveys are not MRI scans. Polls struggle with non-responses and social desirability bias. Everyday behaviour is far more contextual, mediated by the specific relationship between those individuals. Some may fly the flag for equality, yet act differently behind closed doors. So surveys are just one part of the jigsaw, to be consumed as part of a methodologically-diverse diet. With this scepticism in mind, let’s proceed!