Conformity to Masculine Norms and Attitudes Toward Sexual Behavior: A Study Among College Students Involved in Sport

Abstract

Conformity to masculine norms has been connected to high-risk behaviors among college students, including sexual behavior. Research suggests that sport participation reinforces masculinity and predicts acceptance of sexually aggressive attitudes and behaviors, which may be a precursor to sexual violence. However, little is known about conformity to masculine norms and sexual behavior within the context of sport. This study examined the association between conformity between masculine norms (i.e., dominance, success and winning, risk-taking, and violence) and attitudes toward sexual behavior. The final analyzed sample included a total of 547 undergraduate students who compete in collegiate or community-based sport. Results from the ordinary least squares regression analysis indicated participants with greater acceptance of dominance, risk-taking, and violence had greater attitudes toward sexual behavior. Males reported greater attitudes toward sexual behavior than females. Implications from this study underscore the need to promote positive masculinity and healthy sexual relationships with a unique subculture of college students.

Looking Back to Move Forward

“…The exclusion of females in football inherently devalues them, suggesting that females are unworthy of inclusion unless they are hyper-sexualized as cheerleaders dressed in revealing uniforms (Tom, 2010). The devaluation and hyper-sexualization of females combined with hegemonic masculine rhetoric contributes to the creation of rape culture as football players perceive entitlement to sexually conquer women and girls (Tom, 2010;Tredinnick et al, 2023).…”