Poster #71 - Effect of Hegemonic Masculinity on the Reporting of Sexual Violence in Male-Identifying Youth

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

In recent years, discussions surrounding masculinity and its impact on various forms of violence have gained increasing attention. While much of the research has focused on how societal expectations of masculinity contribute to violence against women, there is a growing need to explore how these same norms influence violence within institutional settings, particularly among male youth. Masculinity, as a socially constructed set of behaviors and attitudes, has a significant role in shaping the experiences of boys and young men, especially in environments like schools, juvenile detention centers, and sports teams. This research seeks to investigate how the assumptions around masculinity in these settings not only normalize but also perpetuate institutional sexual violence among male youth.
The notion of hegemonic masculinity, which prioritizes traits such as dominance, aggression, and emotional suppression, plays a central role in reinforcing harmful behaviors in institutional spaces. For male youth, the pressure to conform to these ideals can create environments where sexual violence is either overlooked or unconsciously encouraged. By examining the intersection of masculinity and institutional power structures, this poster aims to uncover the ways in which these cultural and societal norms contribute to the normalization of sexual violence among male youth.

Author

• Olivia Gobel, University of Southern Maine