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Confronting Sexism: The Role of Relationship Orientation and Gender

Sex Roles volume 63, pages 463–474 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

This study examined whether relationship orientation was associated positively with confronting sexism and whether confronting sexism was associated positively with competence, self-esteem, and empowerment for women but not men in stereotypically masculine domains. Men and women undergraduates from a United States Midwestern university (n = 165) were exposed to a sexist statement during a staged, online interaction. Relationship orientation, confronting (i.e., publically rating the sexist statement as problematic and inappropriate), competence, self-esteem, and empowerment were assessed. Consistent with hypotheses, relationship orientation was associated positively with confronting. Additionally, confronting was associated positively with competence, self-esteem, and empowerment for women but not men. Implications for interpersonal confrontation, relationship orientation, and gender differences in response to everyday sexism are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0308, USA

    Sarah J. Gervais & Amy L. Hillard

  2. Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Theresa K. Vescio

Authors
  1. Sarah J. Gervais
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  2. Amy L. Hillard
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  3. Theresa K. Vescio
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Correspondence to Sarah J. Gervais.

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Gervais, S.J., Hillard, A.L. & Vescio, T.K. Confronting Sexism: The Role of Relationship Orientation and Gender. Sex Roles 63, 463–474 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9838-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9838-7

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