Abstract

MASCULINITY IDEOLOGY AND THREAT TO MANHOOD AS PRECURSORS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN TURKEY

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effect of masculinity ideology (MI) and the threat to manhood (TM) on violence against women (VAW) in Turkey by testing two mediational models. The data is collected from a community sample via by using quantitative research methods. The first model tests the effect of MI on attitudes towards VAW through TM. A second one, employing a group of non-single men, tests the effect of MI on the frequency of actual perpetration of violence through TM and attitudes towards VAW. Endorsement of MI predicts tolerant attitudes towards VAW through perceived TM. These tolerant attitudes towards VAW, in turn, predict its actual perpetration. We discuss the implications of these results from a social psychological perspective regarding how the broader ideologies of patriarchy and masculinity trickle down to individual level violence towards one’s partner.

Keywords

• masculinity ideology,precarious manhood,threat,manhood,violence against women,male role norms

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