New research shows that people who admitted to watching pornography are more likely to think that people are less likely to support preferential hiring practices for women.
Writing for the Psychology of Women Quarterly, Indiana University researchers Paul Wright and Michele Funk say:
“Pornography often presents women as sexual objects deserving of degradation, and even aggression.
In alignment with these predictions, prior studies have found that pornography viewers are less likely to hold a variety of antisocial studies towards men. “
A variety of factors that shape one’s view of the issue – namely political ideology and religiosity – were removed from the equation, and it was both applied to women and men. The results suggest that “pornography may be a social influence that undermines support for affirmative action programs for women”.
At the 2008 sessions, nearly 24% male subjects and 13% of female subjects said they had watched a pornographic film during the previous year. Two years later, as part of a follow-up session, the same people were asked, “Are you for or against preferential hiring and promotion of women?”
The results:
“Prior pornographic viewing predicted subsequent opposition to affirmative action for women.”
In short – someone who thinks of women in negative terms (or a sees them as sex objects), is unlikely to support policies designed to facilitate their success in the workplace.
Wright and Funk express that the public needs to be educated about how women are depicted in most pornography, and the possible real-world effects of these depictions.
Their hope is that “increased public awareness of the misogyny in pornography and its antisocial effects will lead to social condemnation, stigmatization, and ultimately reduced production and consumption of such fare.”
What do you think about the conclusion of the study? Do you feel a sexist atmosphere in your workplace? Share with us.
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