The Ebb and Flow of Homophobia: a Gender Taboo Theory.

A key challenge for gender theory and practice is to explain the circumstances in which homophobia either intensifies or declines. In addition to the important theoretical implications of such an explanation, being able to clearly delineate the mechanisms that drive the ebb and flow of homophobia ra...

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Published in:Sex Roles Vol. 71; no. 3-4; pp. 126 - 137
Main Author: Plummer, David
Format: Opinion
Published: Springer Nature Aug2014
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        au: Plummer, David
        affil: Griffith University, Parklands Drive Southport 4222 Australia
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        Australia
        Taboo
        Masculinity
        Social constructionism
        Attitudes toward homosexuality
        Youth
        Homosexuality
        Law
        Homophobia -- Social aspects
        Nigerian politics & government
        Twenty-first century
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          Taboo
          Masculinity
          Social constructionism
          Attitudes toward homosexuality
          Youth
          Homosexuality
          Law
          Australia
          Homophobia -- Social aspects
          Nigerian politics & government
          Twenty-first century
      keyword:
        Gender roles
        Gender taboo theory
        Gender taboos
        Homohysteria
        Homophobia
        Homophobia theory
        Homophobia-phobia
        Homophobiaphobia
        Inclusive masculinities
        Masculine taboos
        Masculinities
        Gender roles
        Gender taboo theory
        Gender taboos
        Homohysteria
        Homophobia
        Homophobia theory
        Homophobia-phobia
        Homophobiaphobia
        Inclusive masculinities
        Masculine taboos
        Masculinities
      ab: A key challenge for gender theory and practice is to explain the circumstances in which homophobia either intensifies or declines. In addition to the important theoretical implications of such an explanation, being able to clearly delineate the mechanisms that drive the ebb and flow of homophobia raises the prospect that one day it might be possible to eradicate this important antisocial problem. But understanding the underlying drivers entails the development of a satisfactory body of theory to explain the existence of homophobia-a body of theory that may well be called on to explain different homophobias in different cultural settings that span the gender spectrum. As discussed, various proposals have been made for alternative terminologies and associated candidate theories that are intended to explain homophobia better. However, none seems to have articulated a sufficiently compelling case to be considered definitive, while others simply fail to accord with everyday homophobic experiences. The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, to propose a set of criteria that need to be satisfied if a theory is going to provide a robust explanation for the ebb and flow of homophobia(s). Second, to explore whether gender taboos offer a coherent theoretical basis for explaining the existence of, and the power behind homophobia. Finally, the analysis looks to shifting gender relations as a possible explanation for the ebb and flow of homophobia.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Opinion
      src: R
    language: English
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