Chapter 1: Introduction: The Why And How Of International Studies Of Adolescents’ Ideal Persons

How would you describe the ideal man and woman? Adolescents from countries such as the United States and Norway might emphasize the independence, distinctiveness, or success of the ideal person. A 14-year-old girl from Norway wrote that, “the ideal woman is able to manage alone, without a man. She is tough and perhaps she’s a lawyer.” According to a 15-year-old boy from the United States the ideal man is “lifting weights to stay in shape. He has his cellular phone so he won’t miss a chance to make a business deal.” On the other hand, an adolescent growing up in a country such as Singapore or Guatemala might emphasize family relationships and social roles. The ideal man is a “person who is willing to sacrifice his time to teach his children. He tries to be close with his family members and get along well,” wrote a 16-year-old boy from Singapore. “The ideal woman is one who has been a good daughter in every way. She has the good feelings and qualities of every mother. She wants her family united,” explained a 15-year-old boy from Guatemala. These were among the multitude of answers we received when we asked thousands of adolescents from 20 different countries or regions from all over the world to describe the ideal woman or man. The views of these teenagers reflect their values, their gender role ideologies, and their personal aspirations for the future.