TY - JOUR
T1 - Gender Role Models in Fictional Novels for Emerging Adult Lesbians
AU - Cook, Jennifer R.
AU - Rostosky, Sharon S.
AU - Riggle, Ellen D.B.
PY - 2013/4
Y1 - 2013/4
N2 - 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.
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.
KW - emerging adulthood
KW - gender stereotypes
KW - media
KW - role models
KW - sexual minority identity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84875968663&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1080/10894160.2012.691416
DO - 10.1080/10894160.2012.691416
M3 - Article
C2 - 23514210
AN - SCOPUS:84875968663
SN - 1089-4160
VL - 17
SP - 150
EP - 166
JO - Journal of Lesbian Studies
JF - Journal of Lesbian Studies
IS - 2
ER -