The men who are put off by macho culture

Researchers found that Marine recruits who did not feel they met masculine stereotypes struggled to motivate themselves.

Researchers found that Marine recruits who did not feel they met masculine stereotypes struggled to motivate themselves.

Published Dec 5, 2014

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London - Men are being driven away from some jobs because they do not feel macho enough, psychologists claim.

Only men who see themselves as ultra-masculine stay, perpetuating male domination of such occupations.

A study of 218 Royal Marine recruits and 117 male trainee surgeons found that simply being a man is not enough to protect against stereotyping.

The authors of the study, published today in the British Journal of Psychology, said there is a “corrosive” environment in many workplaces which is driving out those who do not fit the macho image.

Researchers found that Marine recruits who did not feel they met masculine stereotypes struggled to motivate themselves.

Male trainee surgeons who felt they did not fit in with the culture were also more likely to want to quit.

However, the researchers say their findings may make it easier for women – who are excluded from the Royal Marines and make up only 25 percent of trainee surgeons – to gain more equality.

Professor Michelle Ryan, of the University of Exeter, said: “Women have made substantial inroads into some traditionally masculine occupations, but not into others.

“There is evidence that the latter group of occupations is characterised by the hyper-masculine macho stereotypes that are especially disadvantageous to women.”

Co-author Dr Kim Peters, of the University of Queensland, added: “This suggests that increasing the appeal of these occupations to a more diverse range of men may be one way of increasing their appeal to women.” - Daily Mail

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