International Journal of
Reproductive Biomedicine
Thu, Nov 21, 2024
[Archive]
Volume 19, Issue 7 (July 2021)
IJRM 2021, 19(7): 663-670 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Endut N, Bagheri R, Azmawati A A, Hashim I H M, Selamat N H, Mohajer L. The influence of men’s masculine gender-role attitudes and behaviours on sexual relationships and reproductive health in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study. IJRM 2021; 19 (7) :663-670
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-1587-en.html
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-1587-en.html
Noraida Endut1 
, Reyhaneh Bagheri * 2, Azman Azwan Azmawati3 , Intan Hashimah Mohd Hashim4 , Nor Hafizah Selamat4 , Leila Mohajer1
, Reyhaneh Bagheri * 2, Azman Azwan Azmawati3 , Intan Hashimah Mohd Hashim4 , Nor Hafizah Selamat4 , Leila Mohajer1
1- Centre for Research on Women and Gender (KANITA), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
2- Centre for Research on Women and Gender (KANITA), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. ,reyhaneh_b2004@yahoo.com
3- School of Communication, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
4- School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
2- Centre for Research on Women and Gender (KANITA), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. ,
3- School of Communication, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
4- School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Abstract: (1715 Views)
Background: This article is an extension of a previous research on masculinity and sexual and reproductive health by applying a newly developed local masculinity scale, KANITA Masculinity Scale, to study men’s masculine gender-role attitudes and behaviors in Malaysia.
Objective: To explore how Malaysian men’s masculine gender-role attitudes and behaviors influence sexual relationships and reproductive health.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used the localized gender-equitable men scale to measure the attitudes of Malaysian men toward sexual relationships and reproductive health. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 168 men of ages 20-64 yr, in Malaysia. Data were analyzed by using SmartPLS version 3.2.6.
Results: The findings of the study showed that men’s traditional behaviors and controlling nature are positively associated with the inequality in sexual relationships (p < 0.05, t = 1.838; and p < 0.05, t = 3.750, respectively) and reproductive health (p < 0.05, t = 2.196; and p < 0.05, t = 4.133, respectively). In other words, men who offer stronger endorsement of traditional behaviors and control over women report more negative condom attitudes and greater priority of men’s desires in sexual relationships. In contrast, there were not significant relationships between men’s responses to family and feminine roles in men with sexual relationships and reproductive health.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of considering traditional masculinity ideology when considering the role of men in sexual relationships and reproductive health. Our findings suggest gender transformative policies and programs seeking to inspire men for more gender-equitable relationships with their partners.
Objective: To explore how Malaysian men’s masculine gender-role attitudes and behaviors influence sexual relationships and reproductive health.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used the localized gender-equitable men scale to measure the attitudes of Malaysian men toward sexual relationships and reproductive health. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 168 men of ages 20-64 yr, in Malaysia. Data were analyzed by using SmartPLS version 3.2.6.
Results: The findings of the study showed that men’s traditional behaviors and controlling nature are positively associated with the inequality in sexual relationships (p < 0.05, t = 1.838; and p < 0.05, t = 3.750, respectively) and reproductive health (p < 0.05, t = 2.196; and p < 0.05, t = 4.133, respectively). In other words, men who offer stronger endorsement of traditional behaviors and control over women report more negative condom attitudes and greater priority of men’s desires in sexual relationships. In contrast, there were not significant relationships between men’s responses to family and feminine roles in men with sexual relationships and reproductive health.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of considering traditional masculinity ideology when considering the role of men in sexual relationships and reproductive health. Our findings suggest gender transformative policies and programs seeking to inspire men for more gender-equitable relationships with their partners.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Reproductive Psycology
References
1. United Nations. International conference on population and development (ICPD), Cairo, Egypt: United Nations. 1994. Available at: http://www.un.org/popin/icpd2.htm
2. Lefkowitz ES, Shearer CL, Gillen MM, Espinosa-Hernandez G. How gendered attitudes relate to women's and men's sexual behaviors and beliefs. Sex Cult 2014; 18: 833-846. [DOI:10.1007/s12119-014-9225-6] [PMID] [PMCID]
3. Santana MCh, Raj A, Decker MR, La Marche A, Silverman JG. Masculine gender roles associated with increased sexual risk and intimate partner violence perpetration among young adult men. J Urban Heal 2006; 83: 575-585. [DOI:10.1007/s11524-006-9061-6] [PMID] [PMCID]
4. Awang H, Wong LP, Jani R, Low WY. Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and sexual behaviours among Malaysian male youths. J Biosoc Sci 2014; 46: 214-224. [DOI:10.1017/S0021932013000114] [PMID]
5. Ismail SB, Muhamad R, Hussain NHN, Leon P. Knowledge on male sexual and reproductive health: A comparison between final year medical students in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Monash University (MU), Melbourne, Australia. Educ Med J 2012; 4: e45-e58. [DOI:10.5959/eimj.v4i2.20]
6. Ling JES, Tong SF. The roles of men in family planning-a study of married men at the UKM primary care clinic. Malays Fam Physician 2017; 12: 2-13.
7. Low WY. Impact of sexual health course on Malaysian university students. Med J Malaysia 2004; 59: 443-449.
8. Centre for Research on Women and Gender (KANITA). Developing measures of masculinity within specific- cultural context; 2017 (Unpublished).
9. Sukumaran V. The validation and application of bahasa Malaysia gender equitable men (GEM) Scale: An assessment of equitable and inequitable gender norms among male student of a Malaysian University [M.Sc. thesis]. Universiti Sains Malaysia; 2013.
10. Hair JF, Hult GTM, Ringle Ch, Sarstedt M. A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). 2nd Ed. Los Angeles, CA: Sage; 2017. [DOI:10.15358/9783800653614]
11. Reinartz W, Haenlein M, Henseler J. An empirical comparison of the efficacy of covariance-based and variance-based SEM. Int J Res Mark 2009; 26: 332-344. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijresmar.2009.08.001]
12. Ringle CM, Wende S, Becker JM. "SmartPLS 3." Boenningstedt. Germany: SmartPLS GmbH; 2015.
13. Hulland J. Use of partial least squares (PLS) in strategic management research: A review of four recent studies. Strateg Manag J 1999; 20: 195-204.
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199902)20:2<195::AID-SMJ13>3.0.CO;2-7 [DOI:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199902)20:23.0.CO;2-7]
14. Noar SM, Morokoff PJ. The relationship between masculinity ideology, condom attitudes, and condom use stage of change: A structural equation modeling approach. Int J Mens Health 2002; 1: 43-58. [DOI:10.3149/jmh.0101.43]
15. Pleck J, Sonenstein F, Ku L. Masculinity ideology: Its impact on adolescent males' heterosexual relationships. J Soc Issues 2010; 49: 11-29. [DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1993.tb01166.x]
16. Ward LM, Merriwether A, Caruthers A. Breasts are for men: Media, masculinity ideologies, and men's beliefs about women's bodies. Sex Roles 2006; 55: 703-714. [DOI:10.1007/s11199-006-9125-9]
17. Morokoff PJ. A cultural context for sexual assertiveness in women. In: Travis CB, White JW. Sexuality, society, and feminism. USA: American Psychological Association; 2004. 299-319. [DOI:10.1037/10345-012]
18. Ippolito JM. Women's sexuality, assertiveness, and relationship satisfaction [Ph.D. Thesis], Department of Professional Psychology. Chestnut Hill College; 2011.
19. Impett EA, Peplau LA. Why some women consent to unwanted sex with a dating partner: Insights from attachment theory. Psychol Women Quarter 2002; 26: 360-370. [DOI:10.1111/1471-6402.t01-1-00075]
20. Fallahi H, Tavafian SS, Yaghmaiee F, Hajizadeh I. [Perceived barriers of condom use in people living with HIV/AIDS: A qualitative research.] Payesh 2012; 11: 831-840. (in Persian)
21. Walcott MM, Ehiri J, Kempf MC, Funkhouser E, Bakhoya M, Aung M, et al. Gender norms and family planning practices among men in western jamaica. Am J Mens Health 2015; 9: 307-316. [DOI:10.1177/1557988314543792] [PMID] [PMCID]
22. Lotfi R, Ramezani-Tehrani F, Merghati-Khoei E, Yaghmaei F, Dworkin ShL. How do women at risk of HIV/AIDS in Iran perceive gender norms and gendered power relations in the context of safe sex negotiations? Arch Sex Behav 2013; 42: 873-881. [DOI:10.1007/s10508-012-0040-6] [PMID]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
