This study was conducted to examine whether adults view reading as a masculine or feminine activity, and to see the impact that variables such as gender, age, educational attainment, attitude toward reading, and reading activity have on adults' views. The sample consisted of 169 adult male and female patients from a doctor's office in Northern New Jersey. Both men and women viewed reading as a mostly feminine activity. Variables, such as gender, age, educational attainment, attitude toward reading, and reading activity, were found to influence men's and women's views of reading as mostly masculine or mostly feminine. Results also indicated that women had more positive attitudes toward reading; greater educational attainment did not result in men and women viewing reading as more gender appropriate; and both men and women of all ages were more likely to view reading as a more gender appropriate activity. Appendixes contain survey instruments and data. Contains 33 references and 6 tables of data. (RS)