Education and social status?

Question

Does having a lower educational and social status, for example, those with lower levels of educational attainment and social class, influence them to have negative attitudes towards homosexuality?

Answer 1

In the U.S : I would believe also in Europe;

Empirical research shows that heterosexuals' attitudes toward gay men and lesbians are consistently correlated with various demographic, psychological, and social variables.
When thinking about these associations, it is important to remember two considerations. First, these associations describe general patterns in the population. Not all individuals fit those patterns.

With these considerations in mind, what characteristics tend to be associated with sexual prejudice?

Demographic Correlates In contrast to heterosexuals with favorable attitudes toward gay people, those with negative attitudes are more likely to be:
men
older
less well-educated
residing in geographic areas where negative attitudes represent the norm (for example, rural areas or the Midwestern or Southern United States).

Answer 2

I think it has to do with exposure and tolerance. if you are exposed to certain things you see what that they should be socially accepted. I think education can really enlighten a person in a ton of ways, and no always changing the attitude of thinking homosexuality is bad or wrong. As far as social status, thats a really interesting question. I would think that if you are part of a lower social status and gay it would be harder to come out and such because its much more of a risk. When getting married is a way of moving up in social status, and i'm not saying thats the only reason but i would also think it has something to do with lack of exposure and overall education. If you dont go to school you are most likely around the same people attaining the same beliefs. Just a thought..

Answer 3

I think it is less to do with education and more to do with understanding (from which comes acceptance).

There did use to be a misconception that the upper classes (aristocrats) were all effete (foppish) homosexuals while those of lesser standing (both blue and white collar) were straight. I could imagine that this would have enforced a negative attitude but rather I would have associated that attitude with persons adopting behaviours that crossed the holy cow of class structure rather than sexuality.

After all, there have always been plenty of "working class" gays.

Answer 4

I do not think so. I know people from all walks of life that hate or like gays on about the same level. I really dont know why prejudice is still an issue but if you remember in the past the dislike for minorities ran from the highest levels of the social ladder to the lowest.

Answer 5

As rule, it would appear so, but that said, a generalized statement like that would require some study. For myself personally, I have noticed somewhat of a correlation. It just seems that less education or opportunity coupled with a lack of exposure to gay culture or people mixes to create a "perfect" storm if you will of homophobia.

I think more than anything, exposure to gays would be the best response. Notice that as sports and more "masculine" gays from the world of entertainment come out, there seems to be a slight shift every now and then.

We still, however, have a long way to go.

Answer 6

The stereotype would say Yes but that does not always hold true. You'd be surprised how many people that have been around enough to know better still hold that negative attitude, and conversely how many people who have fought and scraped for everything they have ever gotten understand what it is like to be told that you shouldn't do something simply because of what others will think.

Answer 7

That has not been my experience, but hey, around here in redneck USA I am constantly amazed by people who come out to me and reveal that they never finished high school for one reason or another. And let me tell you, most of these people aren't homophobic at all. Oh sure, there is the occasional tough punk trying to show off for his buddies, but in reality most of these people would screw anything with two arms, two legs, and a pulse if they had the chance. Hell, I'm considered a genius just because I have two college degrees. Appalachia is alive and well.

Answer 8

no it is their upbringing, like there for a good while here in the south back in the 40's and 50's people hated african americans and there were a lot of racist hate crimes, also the KKK for example which preached white supremecy, men and women raised their children to hate and I think that has a little something to do with it in this case but I mainly think that they are sad, lonely people that are mad at the world and the gay population is the easiest target for their hatred because the person that they hate the most is: THEMSELVES.

oh, bomb in the butt you just got reported by me: reason: insulting others and YOU fit the discription of the kind of people that I described to a T. See ya, sure as h#ll would NOT want to be ya!

Answer 9

Most definitely.
Iam sure it's been studied somewhere,and their conclusion was somewhere close to 98% of all bigot's,homophobes,anti semites,etc were of low economic and especially educational status.
Their are some however who regardless of degrees have either a low self esteem or they have had other problems perhaps mental ones who hate for hates sake.

Answer 10

Not necessarily. But sometimes, in order to keep the name of the family "honored", they don't allow their children to even get married to a "commoner" and don't allow them also to have homosexual relationships, so that they maintain their social status in the high-class society.