Attitudes toward condom carriers: The role of gender

Abstract

This study assessed personal attitudes and perceptions of societal attitudes toward condom carriers, with a focus on the role of gender. Although prior research suggests that sexually active women in society are looked down upon, there has been little investigation as to whether this view remains pertinent today, and whether this remains the case at the individual—as opposed to societal—level. Participants were female undergraduate students who read vignettes describing either a male or female condom carrier. They then rated the condom carrier’s character and provided estimates of how their peers would rate the same individual. The young women in our sample did not negatively judge female condom carriers; in fact, they viewed a female condom carrier more favourably than a male condom carrier. Similarly, they endorsed beliefs that other women in society (i.e., their female peers) would not differently rate a condom carrier based on gender. However, women believed that their male peers would be significantly more critical of a female, as opposed to a male, condom carrier. The relation to ambivalent sexism is discussed, as well as the implications that these findings may have on an individual’s own beliefs and practices surrounding condom use.

How prevalent are symptoms and risk factors of pelvic inflammatory disease in a sexually conservative population

“…A recent study in AIDS-infested Nairobi revealed that condom usage is frown upon by both Muslim and Catholic church leaders, as an indirect call for sexual promiscuity [ 28 ]. Another study on college students in Canada revealed that female condom carriers are still judged negatively [ 29 ], even by other females, suggesting that condom usage still relies on male’s disposition. A recent study in Jordan about the contraceptions’use, as reported by women, showed that 38.3% did not use any kind of contraception and only 42.3% were using some medically approved method (pills, condoms).…”

Egalitarian Values and Sexual Behavior—The Role of Country Level Values in Shaping Individual Level Behaviors in Africa, South America and Asia

“…Finally, less ability to access and utilize sexual-risk knowledge, advocate for their own sexuality and condom self-efficacy have been related to women who endorse traditional values and lower rates of condom use are reported by these women in comparison to men (Leung & MacDonald, 2018). Furthermore, hostile attitudes toward women in markedly traditional societies make men more likely to resist condom use in heterosexual intercourse (Curtin et al, 2011;Grose et al, 2014;Leung & MacDonald, 2018). (Inglehart et al, 2014).…”

Examining Consumer Purchase Behaviors and Attitudes toward Condom and Pharmacy Vending Machines in Italy: A Qualitative Study

“…Product placement literature demonstrates condom placement in neutral pharmacy locations with increased privacy (e.g., near soap or other personal items) rather than aisles with additional embarrassing products may improve purchasing attitudes and reduce embarrassment (Gebhardt et al 2012;Young et al 2017). Various marketing and public health strategies have been implemented to reduce embarrassment and increase condom purchasing (de Visser 2005;Eastman-Mueller et al 2016;Kerr 1990;Ronis and LeBouthillier 2013), specifically self-checkout, vending machines, and mail-order programs; however, gender differences in purchasing persist (Leung and MacDonald 2018;Refinery 29 2017;Sixsmith et al 2006). While 68% of women viewed female condom purchasers as responsible and empowered (Leung and MacDonald 2018;Refinery 29 2017), only 18% had ever purchased a condom and only 3% carried a condom in their purse (Refinery 29 2017; Trojan™ 2018), illustrating inconsistent attitudes and behaviors.…”

“…Various marketing and public health strategies have been implemented to reduce embarrassment and increase condom purchasing (de Visser 2005;Eastman-Mueller et al 2016;Kerr 1990;Ronis and LeBouthillier 2013), specifically self-checkout, vending machines, and mail-order programs; however, gender differences in purchasing persist (Leung and MacDonald 2018;Refinery 29 2017;Sixsmith et al 2006). While 68% of women viewed female condom purchasers as responsible and empowered (Leung and MacDonald 2018;Refinery 29 2017), only 18% had ever purchased a condom and only 3% carried a condom in their purse (Refinery 29 2017; Trojan™ 2018), illustrating inconsistent attitudes and behaviors. Further, women and men may associate condom purchasing as a male responsibility (Leung and MacDonald 2018;Mantell et al 2011), decreasing actual purchase behavior.…”

“…While 68% of women viewed female condom purchasers as responsible and empowered (Leung and MacDonald ; Refinery 29 ), only 18% had ever purchased a condom and only 3% carried a condom in their purse (Refinery 29 ; Trojan™ ), illustrating inconsistent attitudes and behaviors. Further, women and men may associate condom purchasing as a male responsibility (Leung and MacDonald ; Mantell et al ), decreasing actual purchase behavior. Studies examining condom access found positive perceptions among both genders, with women desiring greater access to CVMs and expressing frustration that CVMs were often installed in men's bathrooms (Sixsmith et al ).…”