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Ben Hagai E, Annechino R, Antin T. Comparing conceptions of gender, sexuality and lesbian identity between baby boomers and millennials. JOURNAL OF LESBIAN STUDIES 2021; 26:216-234. [PMID: 34491875 PMCID: PMC8898987 DOI: 10.1080/10894160.2021.1972915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To answer this special issue provocation, Is Lesbian Identity Obsolete? we analyzed interviews with people who had identified at some point in their lives as lesbians, or as women/femmes who were attracted to women - some of them part of the Baby Boomer generation and some part of the Millennial generation. Participants from both generations rejected the gender binary. Nevertheless, we found a shift away from understanding gender as an oppressive category to an understanding of gender as a proliferating identity in which one may play with gender in an intentional and creative manner. It appears that participants across generations articulated their sexual identities strategically to express not only a sexual orientation but more importantly political and community alliances. For Baby Boomer lesbians, lesbian identity connoted an alliance with feminism, and for Millennials their sexual identity indicated a political alliance with queer and trans* movements. In order to sustain solidarity between lesbians of different generations, we suggest that narratives about gender should include both intrinsic and extrinsic components. We further suggest that the political project of ending the oppression of all lesbians/women who love women is fraught, but essential in a world that hates women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachelle Annechino
- Critical Public Health Research Group at Prevention Research Center, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Tamar Antin
- Critical Public Health Research Group at Prevention Research Center, Berkeley, California, USA
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Frederick DA, Garcia JR, Gesselman AN, Mark KP, Hatfield E, Bohrnstedt G. The Happy American Body 2.0: Predictors of affective body satisfaction in two U.S. national internet panel surveys. Body Image 2020; 32:70-84. [PMID: 31830668 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The first national study of body image was reported four decades ago in the article The Happy American Body (Berscheid et al., 1973). To provide a modern follow-up to this study, we used two Internet panel surveys of U.S. adults to examine feelings about appearance (Survey 1: Married N = 1095; Single N = 5481) and weight, appearance, body, and muscle size/tone (Survey 2: N = 1601). Mean ages across samples for men and women ranged from 42-53. On the positive side, many men and women were somewhat-to-very satisfied with their appearance (67 %; 57 %), overall body (61 %; 46 %), weight (54 %; 42 %), and muscle tone/size (56 %; 41 %). Mean gender differences were small (Cohen's ds = 0.18-0.32), as were sexual orientation differences within each gender (ds = |0.00-0.25|). Looking at negative body image, fewer men than women were somewhat-to-very unhappy with their appearance among married (19 %; 29 %) and single participants (29 %; 35 %), and fewer men were somewhat-to-extremely dissatisfied with their appearance (18 %; 24 %), body (27 %; 39 %), weight (36 %; 49 %), muscle tone/size (27 %; 41 %). Nearly one-fifth of men (18 %) and one-fourth of women (27 %) were very-to-extremely dissatisfied with at least one of these traits, highlighting the importance of body image interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Frederick
- Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University, United States.
| | - Justin R Garcia
- The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction and, Department of Gender Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
| | - Amanda N Gesselman
- The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
| | - Kristen P Mark
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, University of Kentucky, United States
| | - Elaine Hatfield
- Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, United States
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Everett BG, Steele SM, Matthews AK, Hughes TL. Gender, Race, and Minority Stress Among Sexual Minority Women: An Intersectional Approach. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2019; 48:1505-1517. [PMID: 31144216 PMCID: PMC7212784 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-1421-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Previous research examining the relationship between gender-role presentation and minority stress has largely focused on the negative effects of gender nonconformity. Some research suggests, however, that gender-role nonconformity may be protective against minority stress via participation in sexual minority in-group norms, which may include rejecting traditional gender-role norms and gender presentation. Historically, the meaning and value of masculinity and femininity within sexual minority communities has varied by race/ethnicity. As such, race/ethnicity may moderate the links between gender and minority stressors. This study used a diverse sample of sexual minority women (SMW) (N = 612) and separate indicators of masculinity and femininity to examine the effects of gender role on distal (victimization and discrimination) and proximal (internalized homophobia and stigma consciousness) measures of minority stress. We used multivariate generalized linear models to determine whether the effects of masculinity and femininity on the minority stress outcomes were moderated by race/ethnicity. We found that in many cases the relationships between masculinity and femininity and minority stress varied across racial/ethnic groups, and in fact, worked in opposite directions for White SMW compared to Black and Latina SMW. For example, our results showed that masculinity was associated with lower levels of victimization, discrimination, and stigma consciousness among Black and Latina SMW, but higher levels among White SMW. Results from this study suggest that these differences have important implications for exposure to minority stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany G Everett
- Department of Sociology, University of Utah, 380 S 1530 E, Rm 301, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Sarah M Steele
- Department of Sociology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alicia K Matthews
- Department of Health Systems Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tonda L Hughes
- School of Nursing and Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA
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Smith ML, Telford E, Tree JJ. Body image and sexual orientation: The experiences of lesbian and bisexual women. J Health Psychol 2017; 24:1178-1190. [DOI: 10.1177/1359105317694486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Western cultures promote a thin and curvaceous ideal body size that most women find difficult to achieve by healthy measures, resulting in poor body image and increased risk for eating pathology. Research focusing on body image in lesbian and bisexual women has yielded inconsistent results. In total, 11 lesbian and bisexual women were interviewed regarding their experiences with body image. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed that these women experienced similar mainstream pressures to conform to a thin body ideal. Furthermore, participants perceived additional pressure to conform to heteronormative standards of beauty since the normalisation of homosexuality and the increase in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender representation in mainstream media.
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Harkless LE, Fowers BJ. Similarities and Differences in Relational Boundaries among Heterosexuals, Gay Men, and Lesbians. PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN QUARTERLY 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-6402.2005.00179.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the relative contributions of gender and sexual orientation as factors associated with the formation of boundaries in dyadic intimate relating in both same- and opposite-sex couples. The study examined a relational pattern previously not empirically investigated but widely accepted as an actuality unique to lesbians; specifically, that lesbians tend to remain connected to ex-serious-relationship partners after breakup. The study utilized a research design approach emphasizing the methodological utility and heuristic value of including sexual orientation as an independent variable in studies of gender dynamics. Two general classes of theoretical frameworks, those emphasizing gender role socialization influences and those emphasizing systems influences, were discussed in terms of their relative goodness of fit as conceptual bases for the data. Questionnaires were completed by 60 lesbians, 37 gay men, 45 heterosexual women, and 39 heterosexual men. Lesbians and gay men reported higher levels of connection to ex-serious-relationship partners than heterosexuals. The data reflect how inclusion of sexual orientation can broaden understandings of gender differentiated phenomena beyond more traditional gender-only based accounts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Blaine J. Fowers
- Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, University of
Miami
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Abstract
Internalization of sociocultural norms about the body has been theorized to be an important factor in fostering body dissatisfaction in women. Some theorists have suggested that a lesbian identity may buffer or immunize lesbians from the damaging effects of society's pressure to be thin by reducing this internalization. This study was designed to test this claim empirically. Questionnaires were completed by 108 lesbians and 115 heterosexual women recruited through snowball sampling. Lesbians felt more fit, reported less negative attitudes toward their lower bodies, and internalized sociocultural norms less than heterosexual women. For all women, internalization of sociocultural norms significantly predicted body attitudes. Lesbians and heterosexual women appear to be similarly exposed to and aware of society's messages, and as such their body attitudes substantially overlap. However, lesbians are buffered from these views in some specific areas. These differences appear to be primarily the result of differential internalization of sociocultural norms.
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Ussher JM, Perz J, Gilbert E. Women's Sexuality after Cancer: A Qualitative Analysis of Sexual Changes and Renegotiation. WOMEN & THERAPY 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/02703149.2014.897547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
Women’s feelings about their body and their appearance are an important aspect of their lives, yet little is known about the ways in which partner relationships shape these feelings. There has been some debate about whether or not same-sex relationships offer protection to nonheterosexual (lesbian and bisexual) women from potentially harmful social appearance pressures, but there has been little empirical exploration of this issue. We contribute to the debate by presenting findings from a British qualitative study based on interviews with 15 nonheterosexual women talking about their feelings about their bodies and their appearance in the context of partner relationships. These accounts were analyzed using a phenomenologically oriented form of thematic analysis (TA) and seven main themes were generated. The women suggested that same-sex relationships were both positive and negative influences in shaping their feelings about their body and appearance, highlighting the complexity of this issue. However, positive descriptions of empathy toward body and appearance concerns as well as diversity within same-sex attractions suggest that same-sex relationships have the potential to encourage women to feel happier with their bodies. This analysis also suggests that the theoretical debate is too simplistic and that a synthesized explanation should be explored in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victoria Clarke
- Department of Psychology, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Halliwell
- Department of Psychology, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Holmberg D, Blair KL, Phillips M. Women's sexual satisfaction as a predictor of well-being in same-sex versus mixed-sex relationships. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2010; 47:1-11. [PMID: 19381998 DOI: 10.1080/00224490902898710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Structural equation modelling was used to assess the strengths of the links between sexual satisfaction and self-reported (a) relationship well-being, (b) mental health, and (c) physical health for women in same-sex (i.e., homosexual, n = 114) versus mixed-sex (i.e., heterosexual, n = 208) relationships. Participants came from a large-scale Internet study. Sexual satisfaction was found to be an extremely strong predictor of relational well-being, a strong predictor of mental health, and a weak to moderately strong predictor of physical health. A two-group comparison model indicated that the strength of these links was the same, regardless of whether the women were in a sexual relationship with a man or with another woman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Holmberg
- Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4P 2R6
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Abstract
Therapists, having recently come to terms with treating gay and lesbian clients, now must consider the issues that bisexual clients face. This article reviews the literature on what it means to identify as bisexual in a world where sexual identity is viewed as dichotomous, heterosexual at one end and gay or lesbian at the other end. The article explores sexual identity and its biological versus social origins, internalized biphobia, coming out, relationship patterns, and therapist issues. Two cases illustrate issues that might arise when a therapist is treating a bisexual client. The first case is a 17-year-old young woman who is accepting of her bisexual identity, and the second case is a 56-year-old woman, heterosexually identified and married, who suddenly fell in love with a woman. Concluding remarks focus on some future directions for research and work with bisexual clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Dworkin
- Department of Counseling and Special Education, California State University, Fresno 93740-8025, USA.
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