Women's Intentions Regarding, and Acceptance of, Self-Sexualizing Behavior

Abstract

No known research has examined women's acceptance of self-sexualizing behaviors, which includes the use of catwalks at dance clubs, taking pole dance classes, and wearing clothing with sexually suggestive statements. Structural equation modeling assessed the links between choosing sexually objectifying media, internalized appearance ideals, and self-objectification to self-sexualizing behaviors and general acceptance of sexualizing behavior among 207 female university students. Media choice predicted one's own behavioral intentions and the acceptance of others' sexualizing behavior. Neither internalized appearance ideals nor self-objectification mediated these relations. Hyperfemininity and sexism were tested as individual difference variables predicting these variables. Hyperfemininity added to the prediction of self-sexualizing behaviors and general acceptance of sexualizing behavior, whereas sexism did not. Our results indicate that sociocultural ideals of women's sexual attractiveness predict women's intentions regarding, and acceptance of, sexualizing behavior. Self-sexualizing behavior may have negative consequences, including the lack of subjective experience of one's sexuality.