Still Just Hegemonic After All These Years?
“Worst Thing S/He Thinks About Me” Predicts Attitudinal Risk Factors for High School Healthy Relationships Program
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Abstract
Men and boys are commonly viewed as perpetrators and/or facilitators of relational violence, but this biological essentializing oversimplifies “masculinity” as “bad.” Connell illustrated the complex roles of bodies, structural order maintenance, and “pupils as agents, school as setting” (Connell 2000: 161) in shaping masculinity processes. Our study examined these factors by examining how peer perceptions of gendered identity threats relate to beliefs negatively affecting power relations. Students (N = 87; n = 36 males, 51 females) from four classes at two high schools in Connecticut provided pre- and post-test data for a Sexual Violence Prevention Program. Results show unhealthy attitudes related to peer perceptions as a basis for violence scenarios. We discuss primary-prevention curricular implications by addressing masculinities as social relationships involved in adolescents facilitating healthy relational practices.
Contributor Notes
Jessica J. Eckstein (PhD, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) is Professor of Communication Studies and Director of the Women's Studies Program at Western Connecticut State University. With a research focus on interpersonal and relational communication for those dealing with stigma in varied forms, Dr. Eckstein's work has been published in many interdisciplinary academic journals and edited volumes and can be found at www.jessicaeckstein.com. ORCID:
Erika Sabovik graduated with Honors in 2020 from Western Connecticut State University (WCSU), where she majored in Social Entrepreneurship. She most recently served as president of the WCSU Gender and Sexuality Alliance and was accepted to the Hancock Student Leadership Program. She continues her commitment to social justice issues with her work in the nonprofit sector serving LGBTQ+ rights and care organizations.