Gender Role Socialization and Adolescent Health

Gender role socialization, the process through which one's attitudes and behaviors are shaped based on gender, has important implications for adolescent health. Globally, studies have examined the influence that gender role socialization may have on adolescent health. As such it is important to understand the process of socialization at multiple levels. In this chapter, we discuss the relationship between gender role socialization and adolescent health through the lens of ecological systems theory. At the individual level, gender role socialization can be shaped by sex, education, age, and racial/ethnic identity. Peers and family are the primary influences on gender role socialization at the interpersonal level and media and school are key drivers at the community level. The beliefs and behaviors shaped by gender role socialization at each of these levels impact numerous adolescent health behaviors and outcomes – including substance use, sexual behavior, violence, psychological distress, and chronic health conditions (e.g., heart disease and cancer). In general, more traditional gender role socialization is associated with more compromising attitudes and health behaviors. However, the impact of gender role socialization on adolescent health is variable, in that certain socialization experiences can be both risk and protective factors for health and well-being. Given the impact that gender role socialization has on adolescent health, there are opportunities for researchers and practitioners to address modifiable drivers of gender role socialization and leverage these factors to improve adolescent health.