Socioeconomic Status and Cultural Predictors of Male Role Attitudes Among Mexican American Men: "Son Mas Machos"

Male role attitudes of 130 Mexican American college men were examined. Results indicated that Mexican American men held significantly more traditional attitudes toward male roles on all nine indicators of masculinity compared to a normative sample of U. S. men. Socioeconomic status (SES) and Mexican cultural orientation were significantly related to male role attitudes, with higher SES associated with greater endorsement of views that men should be physically tough and should not display traits characteristic of women. Greater endorsement of Mexican culture was associated with views that: (a) men deserve respect from their wife and children, (b) self-assurance in men is admirable, and (c) that it is essential for men to gain others' respect. Implications for practice and research are discussed.