While most young people are rejecting these pressures, a small but significant number of boys personally endorse these beliefs and are more likely to get into physical fights, sexually harass and use drugs and alcohol.
The findings come from the Adolescent Man Box report of 1400 teenagers of all genders across Australia, released by The Men's Project at Jesuit Social Services.
The Australian-first study of 14 to 18 year olds mapped the results against the Adolescent Man Box 'rules', determined as ideas like boys should be strong, confident and tough at all times, not show fear or emotion, and not do things that are considered "girly".
The study identified a connection between following that model and negative outcomes in terms of their wellbeing and their behaviour.
Among the boys who most strongly supported the Adolescent Man Box rules, 46 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that no one really knows them well compared to 23 per cent of boys who least supported the rules.
More than one quarter had experienced being physically hurt on purpose in the past month compared to 12 per cent of boys who least supported the rules.
Almost 30 per cent believed that if a man was violent to his partner, it was probably because they deserved it or did something to provoke it, compared to two per cent of boys who least supported the rules.
Almost half of boys with the strongest endorsement of the Adolescent Man Box rules said their online social life was more rewarding than offline and 85 per cent had experienced poor mental health in the past two weeks, with many not seeking help.
On Thursday, Jesuit Social Services Men's Project executive director Matt Tyler and international domestic and family violence expert Kate Fitz-Gibbon will launch the landmark report in an address to the National Press Club.
While the report's findings were alarming, Mr Tyler said there was also reason for hope.
"Almost all boys told us they are disturbed by the harassment of women and girls," he said.
"More adolescents reflected that parents had a bigger impact on their own ideas about how teenage boys should act than the media or other online influencers."
In the address, Mr Tyler will call on federal, state and territory governments to commit to targeted initiatives to address issues impacting Australian adolescents and draw on the report to inform youth violence prevention.
He will also urge the establishment of a dedicated national action plan for children and young people who have been victims of violence or abuse.
"More broadly, we know that everybody including adolescents, parents, educators and the broader community can play a role in helping young people to break free of the harms of the Adolescent Man Box giving our young people the support they need to flourish," Mr Tyler said.
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