Sexist attitudes do not exist in a limbo; they are\nembedded in larger belief systems associated with specific\nhierarchies of values. In particular, manifestations of benevolent\nsexism (Glick and Fiske 1996, 1997, 2001) can be perceived\nas a social boon, not a social ill, both because they are\nexperienced as positive, and because they reward behaviors\nthat maintain social stability. One of the strongest social\ninstitutions that create and justify specific hierarchies of values\nis religion. In this paper, we examine how the values inherent\nin religious beliefs (perhaps inadvertently) propagate an unequal\nstatus quo between men and women through endorsement\nof ideologies linked to benevolent sexism. In a survey\nwith a convenience sample of train passengers in Southern\nand Eastern Poland (N=180), we investigated the relationship\nbetween Catholic religiosity and sexist attitudes. In line with\nprevious findings (Gaunt 2012; Glick et al. 2002a; Ta?demir\nand Sakall?-U?urlu 2010), results suggest that religiosity can\nbe linked to endorsement of benevolent sexism. This relationship\nwas mediated in our study by the values of conservatism\nand openness to change (Schwartz 1992): religious individuals\nappear to value the societal status quo, tradition, and\nconformity, which leads them to perceive women through\nthe lens of traditional social roles. Adhering to the teachings\nof a religion that promotes family values in general seems to\nhave as its byproduct an espousal of prejudicial attitudes\ntoward specific members of the family
Loading....