A comparison between two profiles of a group of fifteen-year-old boys in Quebec

Following a research where 2200 Quebec boys and girls aged 15 answered a qu estionnaire, the article first presents a profile of what is considered "ma sculinity" amongst boys. In order to qualify the boys' answers, they are co mpared to the girls' on each and every question. A second profile of "mascu linity" is then seeked, this time using the positions taken by a majority o f boys, notwithstanding what position the girls held. Finally, since the tw o profiles represent the same group of boys but result from different metho ds of analysis, they are compared to one another. The synthesis shows that the girls are mostly open to social change, for themselves as well as for t heir schoolmates. The boys reveal themselves close to a traditional image o f "masculinity" and the few changes observed in their representations can b e linked to actions of the women's movement.