Determinants of aggression toward sexual minorities in a community sample.

Abstract

Objective Sexual prejudice and masculine gender role stress were examined as mediators of the associations between adherence to different male gender norms and aggression toward sexual minorities. This study also sought to extend past research to a community sample and employ multiple methods to assess aggression. Method Participants were 199 heterosexual men between the ages of 18–30 who were recruited from a large southeastern United States city. Participants completed measures of adherence to male gender role norms, sexual prejudice, masculine gender role stress, and aggression toward sexual minorities. Results Associations between adherence to the status and antifemininity norms and aggression toward sexual minorities were mediated by sexual prejudice, but not masculine gender role stress. The portion of unique association between adherence to the antifemininity norm and aggression toward sexual minorities was about three times larger than the portion mediated by sexual prejudice and masculine gender role stress. Conclusions Findings provide the first multivariate evidence from a community-based sample for determinants of aggression toward sexual minorities motivated by gender role enforcement. These data support intervention programming and preventative intervention studies aimed at reducing sexual prejudice and facilitating less stereotypic attitudes about the male gender role, particularly surrounding the antifemininity norm.

Male Role Endorsement Explains Negative Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Among Students in Mexico More Than in Germany

“…A possible explanation for these gender differences is the theory that anti-gay attitudes are embedded in gender belief systems (Kite & Whitley, 1996): Sets of beliefs about men and women, about masculinity and femininity, including gender-role attitudes and norms, gender stereotypes, and perceptions of individuals transgressing such gender roles (for a recent review, see Herek & McLemore, 2013). Indeed, traditional gender beliefs are correlated with anti-gay attitudes (Basow & Johnson, 2000;Brown & Henriquez, 2008;Costa & Davies, 2012;Goodman & Moradi, 2008;Parrott et al, 2011;Swank & Raiz, 2010;Vincent et al, 2011; for a meta-analysis, see Whitley, 2001). Gender beliefs can explain why heterosexual men have more negative attitudes toward (male) homosexuality: Heterosexual men often hold more traditional gender beliefs than heterosexual women, and this has been found to mediate gender differences in attitudes toward homosexuality (Kite & Whitley, 1996).…”

“…In a Mexican study on anti-gay attitudes, more than 50% among both young adults and among those 65 and older reported negative attitudes (see Verduzco & Diaz-Loving, 2010). Negative attitudes can lead to anti-gay behavior (Goodman & Moradi, 2008; also see Morrison & Morrison, 2011), including aggression (Parrott, Peterson, & Bakeman, 2011;Vincent, Parrott, & Peterson, 2011).…”

Effects of masculinity, authoritarianism, and prejudice on antigay aggression: A path analysis of gender-role enforcement.

“…aggression in the context of the male role norms associated with gender role enforcement theory (Parrott, 2009;Parrott, Peterson, & Bakeman, 2011;.…”

Perceived Similarity With Gay Men Mediates the Effect of Antifemininity on Heterosexual Men’s Antigay Prejudice

“…This finding confirms those observed in other studies (e.g., Parrot et al, 2008;Wilkinson, 2004), and it is consistent with the idea that not being feminine is an essential element of masculinity (Maccoby, 1998) and the general tendency to devaluate femininity and feminine characteristics when they are present in men (Blashill & Powlishta, 2009a;O'Neil, 1981). Given that gay men are perceived as being more stereotypical of women than men (e.g., Rudman & Glick, 2008), men's conformity with antifemininity norms results in antigay prejudice (Lehavot & Lambert, 2007), in the same way that the rejection of feminine traits in men has been found to be a predictor of aggression toward sexual minorities (Parrot, 2009;Parrot, Peterson, & Bakeman, 2011; see also Glick et al, 2007).…”

“…For instance, Wilkinson (2004) found that men's antigay attitudes were related to fear of appearing feminine (antifemininity) but not to the other two components (i.e., status and toughness). Parrot, Peterson, Vincent, and Bakeman (2008) and Parrot, Peterson, and Bakeman (2011) showed that antifemininity and status were positively associated to sexual prejudice. In the same vein, negative evaluation of gay men seems to be a result of presumed feminine characteristics (Goodman & Moradi, 2008;Lehavot & Lambert, 2007).…”