Examining Gender Gaps in Heterosexual's Opions

6 Pages 1419 Words

EXAMINING GENDER GAPS IN HETEROSEXUAL’S OPINIONS
ABOUT LESBIANS AND GAY MEN

Abstract
This study uses a focus group technique to examine gender differences in heterosexual attitudes towards homosexuality. The interactions and content of two focus groups, one all male and one all female, are compared. The female group is found to be supportive and in favour of adoption rights for same-sex couples, whereas the all male group express their distaste of homosexuality and agree no such rights should be afforded same-sex couples.

Introduction
Despite heterosexual society’s apparent acceptance of homosexuality, there is still widespread prejudice, misconceptions and stereotypical beliefs about gay people and same sex couples. Gregory M Herek (2002) found that heterosexual women were more supportive than men of adoption rights for gay people and less likely to hold stereotypical beliefs about gay people. Heterosexual men were generally found to have very negative attitudes towards gay men and were least supportive of adoption rights for gay men.

This report looks at distinguishing attitudes towards lesbians and those focused on gay men, and also examines the differences in opinions between male and female heterosexuals. The qualitative method of collecting data was chosen because it was felt that the focus group would bring more honest views to the surface. The alternatives such as questionnaires or one-to-one interviews tend to produce answers that participants feel the interviewer wants to hear and also that give a favourable impression of themselves. Focus groups also allow the researcher to collect a greater amount of information in a very short time.


Method
Two focus groups were conducted, each with five participants, one of which consisted of all females and the second one all males. Participants were university students aged from 18 to 4* and were an opportunity sample. The participants were seated around a ...