Androgyny and its relation to adolescent psychosocial well-being: A review of the literature

The theoretical and empirical literature on androgyny in adolescence is reviewed in this paper. The traditional bipolar view of sex roles and more recent models of sex role development are contrasted. Then the research literature on the relation between sex role orientation and psychosocial well-being in adolescence is reviewed. From a review of several research articles on the topic, it is concluded that it is masculinity and the masculine component of androgyny that is most associated with both male and female adolescents' psychosocial well-being. This conclusion is discussed in light of current issues in the area of sex roles.