Men and boys

father holding son in front of modern house

The psychology of men and masculinities is defined broadly as the study of how boys’ and men’s lives are connected to both gender and sex as well as the cultural and individual meanings associated with individuals who identify as men or boys. The field encompasses the social construction of gender, sex differences and similarities, and biological processes.

Adapted from the Psychology of Men and Masculinities journal scope statement

Resources from APA

Challenging assumptions

The inaugural summit on Black boys' and men's mental health models how psychology can better serve overlooked populations

Black Boys and Men Mental Health Summit

Inaugural gathering focused on institutions, relationships, and systems

Social media, looksmaxxing, and why men struggle with body image

Roberto Olivardia, PhD, discusses why body image disorders in men are frequently overlooked

What relationship science says about finding love

Paul Eastwick, PhD, talks about what the research says about attraction, compatibility, and long-term bonding

More resources about men and boys

What APA is doing

Divisions

Society for the Psychology of Men and Masculinities

APA’s Division 51 seeks to recognize and promote pathways for boys and men to live healthy and positive lives by identifying areas of difficulty as well as ways to achieve more balance and flexibility in their masculinities