Feminist With Benefits

Abstract

Perceived sexism has been linked to poorer sexual health among women. However, research has yet to examine whether protective factors, specifically liberal feminist beliefs (i.e., support for women’s empowerment and equity), moderate the relation between perceived sexism and precursors to risky sexual behavior. The present studies tested this possibility. In Study 1, 161 female undergraduates reported their liberal feminist beliefs, perceived sexism, and sexual self-efficacy. For women with weaker feminist beliefs, perceived sexism was related to lower sexual self-efficacy. For women with stronger feminist beliefs, perceived sexism was uncorrelated with sexual self-efficacy. In Study 2, 85 women with weaker or stronger liberal feminist beliefs were exposed to either hostile or benevolent sexism and subsequently reported their expectations to initiate condom use during sex. Participants with strong feminist beliefs reported greater anticipated condom use than those with weak feminist beliefs, but only in the hostile sexism condition; in the benevolent sexism condition, women with strong feminist beliefs reported condom use intentions that were similar to those reported by women with weak feminist beliefs. Results suggest women’s attitudes and social environment work together to shape sexual well-being and that liberal feminist beliefs may be a powerful tool women can employ to combat hostile, but not benevolent, sexism.