Perception of male college students of heterosexual masculinity guidance and attitudes toward gays and lesbians

Abstract

The article sought to explain masculinity according to the perception of heterosexual male college students, distinguishing those with a tolerant attitude from those with an intolerant attitude towards homosexuals.This was based on a theoretical framework that supported categories and subcategories that emerged from immersion in the field. Its thematic coordinates were addressed from the perspective of gender and cognitive-social point of view.This is a qualitative study based on a substantiated theory design.The subject sample consisted of six students, who were assessed according to the Scale of Attitudes toward Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) and were classified according to their degree of tolerance toward them. Much of the data was collected through interviews. It was found that men were aware of the privileged place they occupy in the sex/gender system and sought to constantly prove that they were not children, women, or homosexuals. It also distinguished between men who had a tolerant attitude from those intolerant toward gays and lesbians and contrasted their masculinity according to the scores obtained on the ATLG scale.