The purpose of this investigation is to explore the attitudes of college men toward the male role and toward sex role equality and to identify the background variables associated with traditional and modern attitudes. Two instruments were constructed for this purpose: (1) The Male Role Attitude Test (MRA), a Likert-type scale based on David and Brannon's (1976) description of the four themes of the male role, 'No Sissy Stuff,' 'The Big Wheel,' 'The Sturdy Oak,' and 'Give 'Em Hell,' and (2) The Attitudes Toward Equality Vignettes (ATEV), 21 hypothetical situations measuring attitudes toward equality for men and women in the public and private spheres of the division of labor. Attitudes are measured on a continuum, one end of which reflects endorsement of 'traditional,' sex segregated roles for men and women, the other end of which reflects a 'modern' perspective of role flexibility and sharing. Data were obtained from a random sample of senior males at two universities, one private, the other state supported Findings confirm the primacy of the breadwinner role for men. The men's major concerns are for occupational success and sexual competency. However, there is little to indicate that they consider the burdens and responsibilities of the male role so troublesome as to lead them to change it. While there is a generalized belief in sex role equality allowing women to participate in the public sphere and men in the private, indications are few men want to participate more fully in homemaking and childcare. Since few can conceive of a woman whose major responsibility is not limited to keeping her husband and children happy, it is difficult for them to consider seriously a woman's career intentions Among the 29 social, demographic, and family variables tested, U.S. citizenship, grade point average, academic major, and father's income emerge as important predictors of MRA and ATEV scores. In addition, father's education is important to the explanation of MRA scores while age, birth order, religiosity, mother's employment, and the respondent's family aspirations are important predictors of ATEV scores. Implications of the research for theory development and social change are discussed Reference David, Deborah S. and Robert Brannon. The Forty-Nine Percent Majority: The Male Role, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1976
