THE SOCIAL BASIS OF HOMOPHOBIA: AN EMPIRICAL ILLUSTRATION.

Autor: Price, Jammie, Dalecki, Michael G.
Předmět:
Zdroj: Sociological Spectrum; Apr-June98, Vol. 18 Issue 2, p143-159, 17p, 5 Charts
Abstrakt: In this article, we examine gender differences in students' evaluations of statements describing various sexual acts. This examination sheds light on gender differences in prejudice toward gay men and lesbian women. On the basis of previous research, we hypothesized that men see gay men primarily in terms of violating conventional gender behavior, whereas they/see lesbian women primarily in terms of violating conventional sexual behavior. In contrast, we hypothesized that women see both gay men and lesbian women primarily in terms of violating conventional sexual behavior. Our study of 201 southern university students supports these hypotheses. Men perceive women having sex with women and men having sex with women similarly. However, men perceive men having sex with men much differently, and much more negatively. In contrast, women perceive little difference between women having sex with women and men having sex with men. Women distinguish mostly between consensual and nonconsensual acts rather than between the sex of the actors. We argue that our findings illustrate the connection between homophobia and the social construction of gender and power. This connection promotes a hostile social climate toward homosexual people, especially gay men, and reinforces gender inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index