Masculinity in Adolescence

Adolescence is a period in life that begins at the onset of puberty and continues until adulthood. More specifically, it marks a transition from childhood to adulthood. There is debate about when someone officially moves into adulthood, and this is contextually dependent. Since the 2000s, in the United States, there is a phenomenon known as extended adolescence or emerging adulthood. This time frame extends into the mid-20s as a period when children are independent and have certain privileges (e.g., voting) but are still financially dependent on their families. According to Erik Erikson, the central developmental task during adolescence is identity development, including development of one’s gender identity and expression.

Masculinity is a type of gender expression referencing qualities traditionally associated with men. These qualities may include ...