Gender Role Models in Fictional Novels for Emerging Adult Lesbians

Jennifer R. Cook; Sharon S. Rostosky; Ellen D.B. Riggle

doi:10.1080/10894160.2012.691416

Gender Role Models in Fictional Novels for Emerging Adult Lesbians

Jennifer R. Cook, Sharon S. Rostosky, Ellen D.B. Riggle

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Novels provide role models for young adult lesbians and thus may influence their identity development. This study focused on 16 lesbian protagonists identified in 11 young adult novels that received 2011 Lambda Literary Award nominations. Content analyses revealed six themes. Three themes defied traditional gender stereotypes: Asserting Oneself, Pursuing Intimacy with Another Woman, and Breaking Free of Constraints to Authentic Self-Expression. Three themes reinforced gender stereotypes: Negative Emotional Experiences Associated with Lesbian Identity, Traditional Masculine Gender Expression, and Traditional Gender Role-Based Sexual Scripts. Each theme is discussed in light of its possible contribution to lesbian identity development.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	150-166
Number of pages	17
Journal	Journal of Lesbian Studies
Volume	17
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/10894160.2012.691416
State	Published - Apr 2013

Keywords

emerging adulthood
gender stereotypes
media
role models
sexual minority identity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Gender Studies

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10.1080/10894160.2012.691416

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abstract = "Novels provide role models for young adult lesbians and thus may influence their identity development. This study focused on 16 lesbian protagonists identified in 11 young adult novels that received 2011 Lambda Literary Award nominations. Content analyses revealed six themes. Three themes defied traditional gender stereotypes: Asserting Oneself, Pursuing Intimacy with Another Woman, and Breaking Free of Constraints to Authentic Self-Expression. Three themes reinforced gender stereotypes: Negative Emotional Experiences Associated with Lesbian Identity, Traditional Masculine Gender Expression, and Traditional Gender Role-Based Sexual Scripts. Each theme is discussed in light of its possible contribution to lesbian identity development.",

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AB - Novels provide role models for young adult lesbians and thus may influence their identity development. This study focused on 16 lesbian protagonists identified in 11 young adult novels that received 2011 Lambda Literary Award nominations. Content analyses revealed six themes. Three themes defied traditional gender stereotypes: Asserting Oneself, Pursuing Intimacy with Another Woman, and Breaking Free of Constraints to Authentic Self-Expression. Three themes reinforced gender stereotypes: Negative Emotional Experiences Associated with Lesbian Identity, Traditional Masculine Gender Expression, and Traditional Gender Role-Based Sexual Scripts. Each theme is discussed in light of its possible contribution to lesbian identity development.

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Gender Role Models in Fictional Novels for Emerging Adult Lesbians

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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