Gender-Role Orientation of Female Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy
Abstract
The effects of a masculine service academy environment on the gender- role development of female cadets was studied. Past research indicates that gender-roles continue to change as individuals mature, making it a continually evolving process. Research also indicates that individuals adjust their gender- roles in accordance with their environment. Since the nature of this environment can often be characterized as masculine or feminine, it is likely that changes in gender-role orientation which occur in the context of these environments can also be characterized as such. Female cadets from all four classes at the United States Air Force Academy were studied to determine whether the environment produced a more masculine or androgynous orientation in these women. Fifty-five subjects were administered the Bem Sex-Role Inventory to determine if orientation changed as the individual spent more time in the masculine environment. Although there were no statistically significant differences found across classes for femininity, masculinity, or androgyny scores, a non- significant trend was evident which tended to corroborate a previous study. Additionally, there were dramatic changes in gender-role orientation for female cadets from the last time that this population was studied. Comparisons indicate that while the majority of women in general are not masculine in gender-role orientation, women at USAFA have definitely become more so in nature since they were last studied. Further investigations in the form of longitudinal studies are recommended for future research efforts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA268054
Entities
People
- Michele S. Fincher
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology