Relationship Between Gender and Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage - Paper Example

Abstract

The present study used community college students to examine the relationship between gender and opinion on same-sex marriage. Results indicated that there was a significant relationship between sex and opinion on same-sex marriage. The majority of men reported that they were against' same-sex marriage while the great majority of female reported that they were for' same-sex marriage. Participants in this program were recruited through an announcement made in the various introductions in psychology classes in Stockton, CA (SJDC). A 4-item survey was used.

Keywords: gender, same-sex marriage

Relationship between Gender and Opinion on Same-sex Marriage

In the last 15 years, many researchers have examined opinions on same-sex marriage. For example, (Watts & Martinez, 2009) and (Vang & Jones, 2008) reviewed studies involving the views of adult males and females from all educational levels, geographic areas, socioeconomic levels, ages, and ethnicities on same-sex marriage. Although these two studies did not examine the data regarding demographic variables, their results indicated that approximately 60% of the respondents reported being in favor of same-sex marriage.

Alvarez, Garcia, and Olivas, (2011) and Hammon, (2003) examined opinions on same-sex marriage as a function of age. Both studies obtained similar findings in that 68% of individuals between the ages of 18-33 years were in favor of same-sex marriage whereas 75% of individuals of the age of 60 years and older were opposing the same-sex marriage.

Most recently, (Ellis & Zhang, 2012) discovered that the vast majority (80%) of Democrats were in favor of same-sex marriage while the vast majority (81%) of Republicans were opposing the same-sex marriage. Also, (Wong & Ngo, 2013) observed that a slight majority of Hispanics were opposing same-sex marriage and a small majority of both Whites and Asians were in favor of same-sex marriage. Furthermore, (Duran & Fulcher, 2011) found that the majority of people who attended church at least once in a week were opposing same-sex marriage whereas the majority of people who never r rarely participated church were in favor of same-sex marriage. Finally, a survey by (Villa, Pulido & Salas, 2012) reveals that 64% of majority adult men were opposing same-sex marriage while 67% of majority adult females are in favor of the same-sex marriage.

The recent study is concerned with the opinions of male and female college students on the issue of same-sex marriage. It is, however, hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship such that the majority of women would report that they were against' same-sex marriage while a majority of women would report that they were for' same-sex marriage.

Method

Participant

The participants were 97 male and 96 female students from the introduction to psychology classes at Stockton, CA (SJDC). Participants were recruited via announcements made in the various introduction to psychology classes at SJDC. Each participant was then given the debriefing statement to read, and all questions about the study would be answered. The qualified students reported to a room on campus on a given day and time and were assessed in a group format. The students participate to earn extra credit in their class.

Material

A 4-item survey was used. Demographic items asked for gender, age, and ethnicity. An informed consent form was used as a debriefing statement. The target question was, Are you for' or against' same-sex marriage?'

Procedure

A 27-year-old Hispanic female undergraduate, a psychology major at SJDC, served as the researcher. The survey was then distributed. The researcher announced that any student might withdraw from the program at any time without penalty. Every student was given the informed consent form to read and sign and were also given a chance to ask questions before signing. The students were notified to try to answer all the items on the survey and to turn the survey upside down when finished. Once all the participants were done, the researcher collected the study from the participants. The participants were treated by the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct' (American Psychological Association, 1992).

Results

The number of male and female who reported that they were for' and against' same-sex marriage were presented in Table 1. However, the data in Table 1 is evaluated with a Chi-square test of independence. Results of the Chi-square test of independence reveals that there was a significant relationship between gender and opinion on same-sex marriage, (N = 193) 1 degree of freedom -35.70- x2 (p = -05). Majority of men reported that they were against' same-sex marriage whereas a majority of female reported that they were for' same-sex marriage.

Discussion

The present results supported the hypothesis that there would be an abolition of same-sex marriage. Men ranging from the age of 18-42 years, had a mean age of 22.34 years and consisted 22 Caucasians, 23 Asians, 29 Hispanics, 17 Blacks, and six from other cultures. The women ranging from the age of 18-45 years had a mean age of 21.95 years and consisted of 25 Asians, 24 Caucasians, 27 Hispanics, 12 Blacks, and eight from other cultures.

References

Alvarez, Q. E., Garcia, M.T., and Olivas. (2011) D. O. In K. Alba (Ed.), Findings on same-sex marriage. Seattle, WA: Academic Publishing Company. The relationship between Age and Opinion on same-sex Marriage. (pp. 213-245).

American Psychology Association. (1992). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. 47 (pp. 1597-161). American Psychologist.Duran, E. N., and Fulcher, L. P. (2011). The relationship between Church Attendance and View on Same-sex Marriage. Journal of Religious Activity. (pp. 78-91.) 33. Issue 3.

Ellis, B. R., & Zhang, C. B. (2012). Political party viewpoints on Same-sex Marriage. (pgs. 117-129). Journal of Politics. 69.

Hammon, L. I. Age & Opinion on Same-sex Marriage. 35 (pp. 97-112). Journal of Sociology. doi: 10. 769233464854. Mp.688.644

Watts, L. Q., & Martinez, B. S. (2009). Research findings on same-sex marriage. Scholastic Press in Chicago, IL.Wong, S. F., & Ngo, D. T. (2013). The relationship between Ethnicity and opinion on Same-sex Marriage. Journal of Ethnic Affairs. (pp. 188-202), vol.27.Vang, U. N., & Jones, L. C. (2008). Opinions on same-sex marriage. Journal of general psychology. Vol 48, 117-130, doi: 10. 9376238228. lw. 388.

Villa, D. E., Pulido, W. H., & Salas, C. K. (2012). Opinions on same-sex marriage as related to gender. Psychology Bulletin, 27, 67-83. Retrieved from https: //www.psychbull.com

Table 1

A Number of Men and Women Who Were Reported That They Were For or Against Same-sex Marriage.

For Against

Men 27 70

Women 68 28