Adolescent males: Predicting attitudes toward guns and violence based on perceived gender stereotypes

This study looked at adolescent males' perceived gender role conflict and their attitudes towards the use of guns and violence to solve problems, as measured by the Attitudes toward Guns and Violence Questionnaire (AGVQ), the Gender Role Conflict Scales - Adolescent Version (GRCS-A), and a demographics form. Forty-six male adolescent students from an urban high school setting in Georgia acted as participants in the study. Participant ages ranged from fourteen to seventeen, and represented students from the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Students involved in the study included African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian adolescents. The study evaluated male students' perceptions based on their identified ethnicity. Research questions addressed whether a relationship existed between the GRCS-A and the AGVQ; whether group differences existed on each measure; and whether predictions involving the degree of gender role conflict experienced could be made based on individual subscales of the GRCS-A. No significant findings were warranted. However, a review of group means did indicate possible differences in ethnic group perceptions. Due to the small sample size, this study should be considered exploratory in nature. A review of literature suggests that males are more prone to violence than females. Also, males are socialized in childhood to solve problems through aggressive means. This study provides a foundation for further studies incorporating the GRCS-A and AGVQ.