Men: a roly-poly existence?
In 2009, SINUS-Institut was commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) to empirically investigate the following questions:
- Which men are interested in the topic of gender equality?
- Where are there “resistance milieus”?
- How do men see themselves? How do men see other men?
- What qualities do men find appealing in other men?
- What qualities do men find appealing in women?
- What ideas do men have about partnership and parenthood?
- What attitudes and behavior patterns do men show with regard to household, work and family? What hurdles and barriers do men face with regard to the compatibility of these areas?
- How do men feel about their partner's return to work and what role do they play in it?
One thing in particular becomes clear: there’s no such thing as the man. The study illustrates a wide range of sometimes antagonistic role models, ranging from entrenchment in traditional concepts of masculinity and “emancipation in small doses” to the naturalness of flexible gender roles.