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Benevolent sexism, perceived health risks, and the inclination to restrict pregnant women’s freedoms

Sutton, Robbie M., Douglas, Karen, McClellan, L.M. (2011) Benevolent sexism, perceived health risks, and the inclination to restrict pregnant women’s freedoms. Sex Roles, 65 (7). pp. 596-605. ISSN 0360-0025. (doi:10.1007/s11199-010-9869-0) (KAR id:26131)

Abstract

The present study investigated the role of sexist ideology in perceptions of health risks during pregnancy and willingness to intervene on pregnant women’s behavior. Initially, 160 female psychology undergraduates at a university in the South East of England completed the

Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (Glick & Fiske, 1996). Two months later, in an apparently unrelated study, they rated the safety of 45 behaviours during pregnancy (e.g., drinking

alcohol, exercising, drinking tap water, and oral sex), and indicated their willingness to restrict pregnant women’s choices (e.g., by refusing to serve soft cheese or alcohol). As predicted, benevolent (but not hostile) sexism was related to willingness to restrict pregnant women’s choices. This effect was partially mediated by the perceived danger attributed to behaviours.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s11199-010-9869-0
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women
R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Karen Douglas
Date Deposited: 10 Dec 2010 11:53 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:04 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/26131 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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