Illicit Masculinity: Examining Gender Differences in Adolescent Drug Use

Abstract

While previous literature has examined how attitudes towards patriarchal and traditional gender norms influence alcohol and marijuana consumption, little research explores how these norms influence illicit drug use, particularly among juveniles. This research begins to explore that gap in the literature and attempts to open up further paths for examining how family structure and patriarchal norms influence the relationships between gender and crime. Using data from Monitoring the Future (N=115,492), this research examines the relationship between masculinity and the use of various illicit drugs (marijuana, n = 48,589; cocaine, n = 49,029; heroin, n = 49,094; and narcotics, n = 49,094) among U.S. high schoolers as they vary between young men and young women. Findings show statistically significant gender differences in each of the substances included in the study. Family structure has no significant effect on the gender differences in substance use, but agreement with patriarchal norms contributes to a significantly larger gender difference in marijuana, cocaine, and narcotics use when compared to disagreement with patriarchal norms. This research contributes to the literature that has focused on the gender gap in crime and provides insight into how masculinity contributes to gender differences in substance abuse.