The role of sexual orientation and the perceived threat posed by men in the acceptance of sexism

Abstract

We aimed at examining the differences between straight (N = 583) and gay (N = 112) people in terms of the acceptance of ambivalent sexist attitudes not only toward women (ASI) but also toward men (AMI) and how the level of perceived threat posed by men (Realistic Threat Scale) influences these attitudes' acceptance. The study results showed that gay men endorsed hostile sexism at the same level as straight men, while lesbian women were more hostile toward men than straight women. In this study, gay people manifested significantly lower levels of benevolent (sexist) attitudes toward both genders than straight people. While a positive relationship was identified between the perceived threat posed by men and hostility toward men, there was a reciprocal correlation in the case of hostile sexism. Men who recognized the threat men can pose to women were less accepting of hostile sexism and more accepting of hostile attitudes toward their own gender group. Moreover, straight men who recognized this threat endorsed less benevolent attitudes toward their own gender group than those who failed to admit it. Our results showed that heterosexual interdependence and recognizing the threat posed by men highly influence the extent to which hostile and benevolent (sexist) attitudes toward women and men are accepted or rejected. The implications and practical relevance of our study are also discussed.

Keywords: Ambivalence toward men; Ambivalent sexism; Heterosexual interdependence; Perceived threat; Sexual orientation.