Exploring the Constructions of Masculine Identities among St. Lucian Men Tracy Davis Alvin Thomas Western Illinois University Morehouse College Christopher Sewalish Western Illinois University Twenty St. Lucian men were interviewed using a constructivist approach aimed at better understanding participants’ gender- related development. Emerging themes included a masculine iden- tity intertwined with responsibility and independence, aversion to gay men, gender-related role tension, and the powerful influence of parents and teachers on gender role expectations. Implications from this study support the need to promote healthy development by understanding the powerful gender and cultural dimensions relating to identity formation. Keywords: men’s development, men’s identity, masculine iden- tity, St. Lucian, Caribbean masculinities Back then as a teenager you’d wear anything to suit other people … to have people favor you, but wearing a suit … people watch you on a whole different level. (Tyler) This reflection, shared by a participant in the present study, captures an impor- tant essence of identity development. Specifically, the formation of identity is not simply an internal organic process but one that reflects the dominant influences of acculturation and socialization (Chickering & Reisser, 1993; D’Augelli, 1994; Jones & McEwen, 2000). Societal messages regarding gender and sex roles powerfully influence perceptions of self as well as shape what is considered appropriate behav- 292 Tracy Davis, College Student Personnel Program Coordinator, Western Illinois University; Alvin Thomas, Department of Psychology, Morehouse College; Christopher Sewalish, Department of College Student Personnel, Western Illinois University. Correspondence for this article should be addressed to Tracy Davis, 1 University Circle, Horrabin Hall 80, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Electronic mail: tl-davis1@wiu.edu The Journal of Men’s Studies, Vol. 14, No. 3, Fall 2006, 292-310. © 2006 by the Men’s Studies Press, LLC. All rights reserved. 1060-8265.1403.292