Cues Signaling Gender Segregation and Gender Inclusion in Public Spaces Affect Adolescents’ Binary Conceptualization of Gender and Attitudes Toward Transgender and Nonbinary People
Affiliation
University of ArizonaIssue Date
2023Keywords
adolescentsattitudes
bisexual
gay
gender
lesbian
queer
transgender
visual communication
visual cues
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University of Southern CaliforniaCitation
Gillig, T., Shaikh, S., & Bighash, L. (2022). Cues Signaling Gender Segregation and Gender Inclusion in Public Spaces Affect Adolescents’ Binary Conceptualization of Gender and Attitudes Toward Transgender and Nonbinary People. International Journal Of Communication, 17, 24. Retrieved from https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/19361/4006Rights
© 2023 (Traci K. Gillig, Sonia Jawaid Shaikh, and Leila Bighash). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.Collection Information
This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.Abstract
Gender segregation of public facilities (e.g., restrooms) is communicated via cues such as language and imagery on facility signage. While people are exposed to these cues regularly, little research examines how they influence adolescents’ gender-related attitudes and social behaviors. In this preregistered online experiment, we tested differential impact of exposure to gender-segregated and all-gender facilities cues in a school environment on the attitudes and peer selection of 319 adolescents (aged 12-17 years) from a nationally representative sample. Exposure to gender-segregated facilities cues positively predicted binary conceptualization of gender and did not predict gender-congruent peer selection. Adolescents’ prior exposure to all-gender facilities in everyday life was associated with more positive attitudes toward transgender and nonbinary people and increased comfort with all-gender facilities. Results indicate effects of gendered facilities cues on adolescents’ gender-based socialization. Social and theoretical implications are discussed. © 2023 (Traci K. Gillig, Sonia Jawaid Shaikh, and Leila Bighash). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd). Available at http://ijoc.org. All Rights Reserved.Note
Open access journalISSN
1932-8036Version
Final Published VersionCollections
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as © 2023 (Traci K. Gillig, Sonia Jawaid Shaikh, and Leila Bighash). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

