DUAL SEX-ROLE IDENTITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SEX-ROLE CONFLICT

Bem (1974) and others proposed that sex role identity is a single role orientation combining or blending different levels of feminine and masculine characteristics. The present study, however, proposed that individuals may have two different gender identity images—one they consider descriptive of their at-home situation and another of their at-work situation. Results of testing 214 American working women and men supported the concept of a dual identity. Each sex had a higher feminine identity at home than at work but a similar masculine identity under both conditions. Unexpectedly, the difference between at-work and at-home scores was not linked to the level of sex role conflict. © 1990 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.