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Culture, not nature: How traditional masculinity shapes male attitudes toward relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2026

Magdalena Śmieja Open the ORCID record for Magdalena Śmieja [Opens in a new window] ,
Tomasz Oleksy Open the ORCID record for Tomasz Oleksy [Opens in a new window] ,
Alicja Walczak Open the ORCID record for Alicja Walczak [Opens in a new window]  and
Wojciech Podsiadłowski Open the ORCID record for Wojciech Podsiadłowski [Opens in a new window]
Magdalena Śmieja*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland magdalena.smieja-necka@uj.edu.pl
Tomasz Oleksy
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland tomasz.oleksy@psych.uw.edu.pl w.podsiadlowski@uw.edu.pl
Alicja Walczak
Affiliation:
Doctoral School in the Social Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland alicja.walczak@doctoral.uj.edu.pl Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland magdalena.smieja-necka@uj.edu.pl
Wojciech Podsiadłowski
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland tomasz.oleksy@psych.uw.edu.pl w.podsiadlowski@uw.edu.pl
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Wahring, Simpson, and Van Lange attribute men’s increased involvement in romantic relationships to biological, evolutionary, and social mechanisms. We argue, however, that the effects they describe are not inherent but culturally constructed – emerging from socially reinforced manhood ideals and evolving gender norms. To support this position, we draw on recent empirical research on traditional masculinity, the manosphere, and incel subcultures.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e126
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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