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Measuring Mankeeping: Development and Validation of a Scale Assessing How Women Experience the Impact of Men's Declining Social Networks

Mankeeping was theorized as the unreciprocated labor women take on to compensate for losses in men’s social networks, thereby reducing the burden on families, heterosexual bonds, and men. However, there is currently no validated instrument that can reliably assess this theory. 

Citation:
Mancini VO, Guerrini BN, Clarke JJ, et al. Measuring Mankeeping: Development and Validation of a Scale Assessing How Women Experience the Impact of Men's Declining Social Networks. Sex Roles. 2026;92(4).

Keywords:
Mankeeping; Friendship; Gender equality; Masculinity; 
Social networks; Social support; Relationship burden

Abstract:
Mankeeping was theorized as the unreciprocated labor women take on to compensate for losses in men’s social networks, thereby reducing the burden on families, heterosexual bonds, and men. However, there is currently no validated instrument that can reliably assess this theory.