Understanding Mechanism Underlying Resistance Against Gender Fair Language

Abstract

Recent legislative efforts to introduce obligatory use of gender fair language (GFL) in research, education and media in Serbia received considerable resistance from the public. In line with the Social identity theory, we hypothesize that resistances to this gender equality measure arise because GFL is perceived as a threat to gender relations status quo within the society. Therefore, it can be mapped onto the gender system-justifying attitudes. We tested this hypothesis using an online survey in Serbia (N=449), within which we applied a novel measure of attitudes towards GFL and a comprehensive set of socio-psychological predictors. EFA revealed three factors of resistance against GFL: 1) perceiving GFL as a threat to identity and status quo, 2) doubts about the effectiveness of GFL, 3) rejection of the GFL due to linguistic habits. Moderated serial mediation analyses revealed that perceiving GFL as a threat can be predicted by higher levels of social dominance orientation, through accepting gender ideology conspiracy beliefs and modern sexism. While men hold more negative beliefs regarding all measured constructs, the described mechanism itself isn’t moderated by gender. Other two forms of resistance can be mapped onto similar mechanisms, with perceiving GFL as a threat as the strongest predictor. The findings show that the various forms of resistance to GFL can be traced to perceiving this gender equality measure as a threat to the gender status quo within the society.