Who Engages in Gender Bullying: The Role of Homophobic Name-Calling, Gender Pressure, and Gender Conformity

• In Event: The School-Based Peer Context of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents: International and U.S. Perspectives

Abstract

Gender non-conforming children, defined as children who do not adhere to societal gender expectations, are more likely to be victimized compared to other children (Toomey et al., 2010). Nevertheless, we know little about the motives for bullying gender non-conforming victims (GNCV) and how they are different from the motives for bullying gender-conforming victims (GCV). Understanding this difference is critical to address bullying based on gender bias and prejudice. This study examines whether bullies’ gender conformity, pressure to conform to gender norms (felt pressure), and experiences of homophobic name-calling (HNC) are associated with a tendency to bully GNCV and GCV.
Longitudinal changes were analyzed on all peer interactions in an entire 6th-grade cohort (152 girls and 128 boys; M=11.13 years; 44% Latino, 20% White, 16% Multi-ethnic, 20% other). Data were collected in the Southwestern US over two-time points: in October(T1) and March(T2) of the academic year. Participants nominated grade-mates who “like to bully other kids around” and specified the names of “the kids they bully.” A scale of perceived similarity to other-gender peers (Martin et al. 2017) was used to assess adolescents’ perceived gender nonconformity (T1: α=.78; T2: α=.87). (e.g., “How much do you act like [girls/boys]” (1=Not much, 5=A lot). Felt pressure to conform to gender norms (α=.85) was assessed using a 5-item self-report adapted from the Felt Pressure Scale (e.g., “Other kids would be upset if I acted like a [girl/boy]” (1=Not much, 5=A lot) (Egan & Perry, 2001). HNC was assessed using a self-report single item (“Some kids call each other names such as gay, homos, or lesbian. How many times in the last month did anyone call you these names?” (1=Never, 7=7 or more times) (Poteat & Espelage, 2005). Victims were dichotomized using a median split on the perceived conformity to other-gender scale, with those above the median classified as gender-non-conforming and those below as gender-conforming.
Negative binomial regression models were used to predict the count number of nominations for being a bully of GNCV (Table 1) or GCV (Table 2). Regressions included perceived pressure to conform to gender norms, HNC, gender nonconformity, and sex (Model 1). Results showed that experiences of HNC at Time 1 predicted perpetrating bullying against GNCV at Time 2. Then, interaction analyses examined whether participants’ sex may moderate the effect of perceived pressure to conform to gender norms (Model 2), HNC (Model 3), and gender nonconformity (Model 4) on the bullies’ preference to victimize GNCV and GCV. Only for boys, one’s own gender conformity at Time 1 was positively associated with bullying GNCV at Time 2, IRR=0.09; p <.002. No significant associations with bullying GCV at Time 2 were found.
Bullying GNCV may represent a defensive reaction to demonstrate bullies’ own gender conformity. Particularly among male bullies, one’s own gender conformity can affect the selection of victims based on their gender conformity. This study advances knowledge on predictors of aggressive behaviors against GNCV in middle school and has important implications for the development of policies and interventions to reduce gender bias bullying.

Authors

• Salvatore Ioverno, Ghent University
  Presenting Author

• Dawn DeLay, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Carol Lynn Martin, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Laura D Hanish, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author