Pedestal or Gutter? Unsurprising New Study Links Anti-Choice Views to Sexist Attitudes
The study examines the relationship between sexism and abortion through the lens of the Ambivalent Sexism Theory. The psychological theory holds that sexist attitudes about women come in two main forms: a hostile version and a benevolent version.
Benevolent sexism describes the belief that women are nurturing, caring and gentle, but cannot function properly without protection from a strong male partner. Kathleen Connelly of the University of Florida has summarized benevolent sexism as the belief that “women are wonderful, but weak.”
Hostile sexism, on the other hand, represents overt antipathy or dislike of women. Both forms of sexism maintain that women should be subordinate to men.
More: Unsurprising New Study Links Anti-Choice Views to Sexist Attitudes
The Study: Pedestal or Gutter - Exploring Ambivalent Sexism’s Relationship With Abortion Attitudes