Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Prioritizing Prevention Strategies Through a Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Italian City
Sexist ideologies and attitudes perpetuate gender inequalities in both private and public contexts. Traditional views of sexism emphasize hostility, but the phenomenon is more complex, involving interdependent power relations between men and women. The Ambivalent Sexism Theory identifies two forms:...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Dario Sgarra Marta Cleva Sara Nanni Marco Montalti Anna Maria Piraccini Antonella Brunelli |
| author_facet | Dario Sgarra Marta Cleva Sara Nanni Marco Montalti Anna Maria Piraccini Antonella Brunelli |
| author_sort | Dario Sgarra |
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| description | Sexist ideologies and attitudes perpetuate gender inequalities in both private and public contexts. Traditional views of sexism emphasize hostility, but the phenomenon is more complex, involving interdependent power relations between men and women. The Ambivalent Sexism Theory identifies two forms: hostile sexism (HS) and benevolent sexism (BS). This study aimed to measure the levels of HS and BS among men in a northern Italian town, examining sociodemographic factors associated with elevated sexism scores. A paper questionnaire was administered by a volunteer organization and the Local Health Authority to male individuals over 18 in Cesena from February to April 2023. The convenience sample was recruited from diverse settings, including universities, companies, cafes, and hospitals. The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (Glick & Fiske) was translated into Italian and used for data collection. A total of 275 participants were included. The mean age was 44.4 years, with a diverse educational background. Regression analyses revealed that higher education levels were associated with lower HS scores with a high school education and a bachelor’s degree or higher showing statistically significant coefficients of −5.33 (SE = 2.26, <i>p</i> = 0.019, and 95% CI: −9.78–−0.88) and −8.64 (SE = 2.51, <i>p</i> = 0.001, and 95% CI: −13.58–−3.69), respectively, if compared to individuals with middle school education or less. Age was a significant predictor of BS, with older individuals showing higher BS scores (Coeff. = 0.20, SE = 0.05, <i>p</i> < 0.001, and 95% CI: 0.10–0.31). Healthcare professionals had higher HS scores, while unionists had both lower HS and BS scores. This study highlighted the levels of both HS and BS in various professional and social contexts. Education appears to be a critical factor in reducing HS, while age influences BS. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-16a5d5cb7bea42f3b4d69acc4d98ae0d2025-08-20T03:44:00ZengMDPI AGSocieties2075-46982025-03-011536110.3390/soc15030061Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Prioritizing Prevention Strategies Through a Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Italian CityDario Sgarra0Marta Cleva1Sara Nanni2Marco Montalti3Anna Maria Piraccini4Antonella Brunelli5Cesena Family Council Center and Community Paediatrics, Romagna Local Health Authority, 47521 Cesena, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyPerLeDonne ODV, 47521 Cesena, ItalyCesena Family Council Center and Community Paediatrics, Romagna Local Health Authority, 47521 Cesena, ItalySexist ideologies and attitudes perpetuate gender inequalities in both private and public contexts. Traditional views of sexism emphasize hostility, but the phenomenon is more complex, involving interdependent power relations between men and women. The Ambivalent Sexism Theory identifies two forms: hostile sexism (HS) and benevolent sexism (BS). This study aimed to measure the levels of HS and BS among men in a northern Italian town, examining sociodemographic factors associated with elevated sexism scores. A paper questionnaire was administered by a volunteer organization and the Local Health Authority to male individuals over 18 in Cesena from February to April 2023. The convenience sample was recruited from diverse settings, including universities, companies, cafes, and hospitals. The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (Glick & Fiske) was translated into Italian and used for data collection. A total of 275 participants were included. The mean age was 44.4 years, with a diverse educational background. Regression analyses revealed that higher education levels were associated with lower HS scores with a high school education and a bachelor’s degree or higher showing statistically significant coefficients of −5.33 (SE = 2.26, <i>p</i> = 0.019, and 95% CI: −9.78–−0.88) and −8.64 (SE = 2.51, <i>p</i> = 0.001, and 95% CI: −13.58–−3.69), respectively, if compared to individuals with middle school education or less. Age was a significant predictor of BS, with older individuals showing higher BS scores (Coeff. = 0.20, SE = 0.05, <i>p</i> < 0.001, and 95% CI: 0.10–0.31). Healthcare professionals had higher HS scores, while unionists had both lower HS and BS scores. This study highlighted the levels of both HS and BS in various professional and social contexts. Education appears to be a critical factor in reducing HS, while age influences BS.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/3/61sexismambivalent sexism theoryhostile sexismbenevolent sexismsociodemographic factorseducational interventions |
| spellingShingle | Dario Sgarra Marta Cleva Sara Nanni Marco Montalti Anna Maria Piraccini Antonella Brunelli Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Prioritizing Prevention Strategies Through a Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Italian City Societies sexism ambivalent sexism theory hostile sexism benevolent sexism sociodemographic factors educational interventions |
| title | Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Prioritizing Prevention Strategies Through a Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Italian City |
| title_full | Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Prioritizing Prevention Strategies Through a Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Italian City |
| title_fullStr | Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Prioritizing Prevention Strategies Through a Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Italian City |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Prioritizing Prevention Strategies Through a Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Italian City |
| title_short | Hostile and Benevolent Sexism: Prioritizing Prevention Strategies Through a Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Italian City |
| title_sort | hostile and benevolent sexism prioritizing prevention strategies through a cross sectional study in a northern italian city |
| topic | sexism ambivalent sexism theory hostile sexism benevolent sexism sociodemographic factors educational interventions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/3/61 |
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