Macho, Myths, and Stuck in the Middle: Traditional Masculinity and Victim Blame in New York City Middle School Students

Sexual harassment and dating violence in middle school students has garnered attention in recent years. Previously, studies on the topic limited their subjects to high school and college students. However, middle school has been noted to be the onset of dating, and therefore, dating violence. Past research has revealed that rape myth acceptance/tendency to victim blame and support for traditional masculinity have been linked to dating violence. Furthermore, it is contended that those who support traditional masculinity are more likely to victim blame. Our study addresses this relationship in middle school students. Utilizing survey data conducted by Bruce Taylor, Nan D. Stein, Dan Woods, and Elizabeth Mumford, which examined domestic violence and harassment in New York City middle school students, we created two new variables measuring support for traditional masculinity and a tendency to victim blame. After conducting a regression analysis, we found a significant, positive, and moderate relationship between masculinity and victim blame. We also looked at the effects of gender and ethnicity. Results indicate some variation in victim blame beliefs and masculinity by ethnic groups. Gender also has an effect on victim blame and masculinity.

Author

• Fisher, Sara Nicole

Language

• en

Keyword

• Masculinity
• Middle School
• Rape Myth
• Violence Against Women
• Victim Blame
• Dating Violence

Date created

• 2016

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Criminology

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• Schwartz, Martin D

Committee Member(s)

• Ishizawa, Hiromi

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/0k225b36z