Skip to main content
Log in

Sexual identification and gender identity among father-absent males

  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study used multiple measures of sexual identification and of gender identity to determine discriminant functions in order to classify 100 college males and 100 females. These functions were then applied in classification of a separate sample of 50 father-absent and 50 father-present males as masculine or feminine for sexual identification and for gender identity. True similarity to response patterns of a female sample, as reflected in differences in classification rates for father-present and -absent groups, was not observed for either variable. However, substantial support was obtained for a positive association between father absence for male subjects and less masculine gender identity. Different elements of family structure were observed to be associated with the development of sexual identification among father-absent and father-present males. Sons of mothers who remained single after the father's absence were more frequently classified female in sexual identification than were sons of mothers who remarried. Within intact families, a positive father-son relationship was associated with masculine sexual identification.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barclay, A. G., & Cusumano, D. Father-absence, cross-sex identity, and field dependent behavior in adolescent males. Child Development, 1967, 38, 243–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bem, S. L. The measurement of psychological androgyny. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1974, 42, 155–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bezdek, W., & Madsen, B. A. Guide for scoring sexual role identity from a brief version of the Franck Drawing Completion Test. Chicago: Social Psychology Laboratory, University of Chicago, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biller, H. B. Paternal deprivation: Family, school, sexuality, and society. Lexington, Mass.: Lexington Books, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, R., & Whiting, J. W. M. The absent father and cross-sex identity. Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 1961, 7, 85–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. P. Handbook for the Strong Vocational Interest Blank. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlsmith, L. Effect of early father absence on scholastic aptitude. Harvard Educational Review, 1964, 34, 3–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlsmith, L. Some personality characteristics of boys separated from their fathers during World War II. Ethos, 1973, 1, 466–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramer, P., & Carter, T. The relationship between sexual identification and the use of defense mechanisms. Journal of Personality Assessment 1978, 42, 63–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Andrade, R. G. Father absence, identification, and identity. Ethos, 1973, 1, 440–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, R. B. Childhood parental relationships of homosexual men. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1973, 33, 129–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franck, K., & Rosen, E. A projective test of masculinity-femininity. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1949, 13, 247–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furtney, D. Deprivation/enhancement self-training scoring booklet. Unpublished manuscript, Counseling Center, Amherst College, 1975. (a)

  • Furtney, D. Scoring system for deprivation/enhancement fantasy patterns. Unpublished manuscript, Counseling Center, Amherst College, 1975. (b)

  • Goldstein, H. S., & Peck, R. Maternal differentiation, father absence, and cognitive differentiation in children. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1972, 29, 370–373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, R. Atypical sex role behavior during childhood. In A. M. Freedman, K. I. Kaplan, & B. J. Sadock (Eds.), Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry/II. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1975, Pp. 141–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzog, E., & Sudia, C. Children in fatherless families. In B. M. Caldwell & H. N. Ricciuti (Eds.), Review of child development research (Vol. 3). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1973, Pp. 1408–1414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, M. E. Fathers: Forgotten contributors to child development. Human Development, 1975, 18, 245–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, M. E. (Ed.), The role of the father in child development. New York: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • May R. Sex differences in fantasy pattern. Journal of Projective Techniques and Personality Assessment, 1966, 30, 576–586.

    Google Scholar 

  • May R. Deprivation-enhancement fantasy patterns in men and women. Journal of Projective Techniques and Personality Assessment, 1969, 33, 464–469.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, R. A method for studying the development of gender identity. Developmental Psychology, 1971, 5, 484–487.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munroe, R. L., & Munroe, R. H. Male pregnancy symptoms and cross-sex identity in three societies. Journal of Social Psychology, 1971, 84, 11–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mussen, P. Some antecedents and consequents of masculine sex-typing in adolescent boys. Psychological Monographs, 75(2, Whole No. 506).

  • Shinn, M. Father absence and children's cognitive development. Psychological Bulletin, 1978, 85, 295–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strahan, F. Remarks on Bem's measurement of psychological androgyny: Alternatives, methods, and a supplementary analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1975, 43, 568–571.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strodtbeck, F. L., Bezdek, W., & Goldhammer, D. Male sex-role and response to a community problem. Sociological Quarterly, 1970, 11, 291–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twentyman, C. T., & McFall, R. M. Behavioral training of social skills in shy males. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1975, 43, 384–395.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kagel, S.A., Schilling, K.M. Sexual identification and gender identity among father-absent males. Sex Roles 13, 357–370 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288091

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288091

Keywords

Navigation