Homosexuality In Prison

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Recommended: Stereotypes of gender and sexuality mass media

Re-explore eigenberg article.. find all the authors for the specific things he or she cites so those citations can be used

Men’s lives in prison
Statistics, comparison to females, why this stuff sucks
Homosexuality has been a part of prison cluture since prison life was first studed. However, it is a topic that few researchers have taken the time to analyze and interpret (Sykes, 1958). Prison studies in the 1980s and 1990s rarely took place as it was not considered a topic worthy of study, rather the foci addressed issues of sexually transmitted infections, sexual assault, and rape (Sit & Ricciardelli, 2013). Homosexuality was considered a form of mental illness by the American Psychological Assocation until 1975 when it was declared an alternative lifestyle (Eigenberg, 1992). Penal institutions around the world ironically habor a subctulure with the greatest concentration of homosexuality but one that is vehemently homophobic (Gear, xxxx)

Researchers such as Blackburn, Fowler, Mullings, and MArquart (2010) found time served was a significant predictor of increased tolerance toward sex among inmates and preference for having a gay cellmate.

It was not until Kinsey et al. (1953) developed the Kinsey Scale to measure sexual orientation that the notion of sexual fluidity began to be considered in Western cultures. It consisted of a seven-category continuum based on two indicators: sexual fantasy and sexual experience. Both fantasy and experimental measures were found to have similar result, and many agreed this form of measurement was better than one consisting of only a few discrete variables (Ellis, Burke, & Ames, 1987).

Many myths surround penal institutions and the prisoners constituting them. The mass media portrays priso...

... middle of paper ...

... questions regarding sexual identity and homosexuality, the responses could be skewed depending on the prisoner’s level of fear of being identified as homosexual in a hypermasculine environment, self-denial, or lack of admission. Gibson and Hensley (2013) in their study on if engaging in homosexual behavior affected a change in sexual orientation only had an unsurprising 18% response rate. Most reports note only an admission of indirect exposure; it was only heard about but not witnessed, only a select group of prisoners engaged in such activity, or denial that it occurred (Gibson & Hensley, 2013).
Future research
Further research is needed to examine how inmate attitude toward homosexuality impacts behaviors; does more tolerance toward homosexuality mean an individual is more likely to engage in homosexual behavior (Blackburn, Fowler, Mullings, & Marquart, 2010).

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