Sexism in intimate relationships: The interpersonal sources and consequences of ambivalent sexism

Abstract

Four articles investigated the origins and consequences of sexist attitudes by focusing on interpersonal processes. Ambivalent sexism theory (Glick & Fiske, 1996) states that intimate relationships are central to why sexism toward women exists in two interrelated forms. Hostile sexism is the label given to the overtly sexist, antagonistic attitudes toward women who challenge men’s power, such as “women exaggerate problems they have at work”. In contrast, benevolent sexism describes subjectively positive, paternalistic attitudes which position women in a low-status, relationship role, such as “a good woman should be set on a pedestal by her man”. Chapter Two investigated a reason why men’s hostile sexism is linked with relationship negativity—hostile sexism distorts men’s views of intimate partners. Two longitudinal studies of romantic couples demonstrated that men who endorse hostile sexism interpret their partner’s behavior more negatively, which led them to feel more manipulated, behave more negatively, and experience lower relationship satisfaction. Chapter Three investigated how benevolent sexism can simultaneously be patronizing and romantic by examining the types of goal-support behaviors associated with benevolent sexism. Men and women who endorse benevolent sexism provided distinctly different forms of support which, respectively, impede women’s competence and facilitate men’s closeness and intimacy. So, why do women endorse benevolent sexism? Chapter Four presents articles demonstrating that one reason women endorse benevolent sexism is the benefits the ideology offers. In a nationally representative sample, women higher in psychological entitlement (i.e., more attracted to gaining resources and praise) increasingly endorsed benevolent sexism over time. Next, two dyadic longitudinal studies and a series of supplemental experimental studies supported that women’s endorsement of benevolent sexism is maintained over time when they perceived that their male partner more strongly endorsed benevolent sexism. In conclusion, investigating the dyadic functions of sexist attitudes identifies: (1) key factors that underlie the persistence of sexist attitudes, such as the continued availability of the romantic promises of benevolent sexism within relationships, and (2) the consequences of sexist attitudes, including the subtle ways that sexist attitudes shape people’s perceptions, behaviors, and beliefs in relationships which ultimately bolsters the gender inequalities that exist across societies.