The next study I discuss by Lisnek et. al (2022) that I will be using for my paper uses a survey to conduct three separate studies on linkages/perceptions between women having more of a voice – through movements like #MeToo – and men feeling increasingly victimized. When this study talks about men’s victimization, they are referring to the notion that innocent men are being accused of sexual assault/harassment that they did not commit.
The first study explores the connection between women having an increased voice and power and increased perceptions of men’s victimization. Lisnek et. al (2022) found that participants being conservative was positively associated with increased perceptions of men’s victimization, increased perceptions of women having an increased voice was positively associated with perceptions of men’s victimization, and male participants were more likely to perceive men’s victimization than female participants.
The second study by Lisnek et. al (2022) tested to see how perceptions of women’s increased voice, perceptions of men’s victimization, and the #MeToo movement interact with each other. In this study, the authors found that men had increased perceptions of women having increased voice and power and conservative political affiliation had a positive relationship with perceptions of men’s victimization.
The third study by Lisnek et. al (2022) wanted to see how perceptions of women’s increased voice among conservative participants related to perceptions of men’s victimization. The authors found that conservative men were more likely to prefer to not work alone with women, and even more so if they were exposed to an article about #MeToo; conservative male participants were less likely to advocate for #MeToo policies (like less sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace); and conservative male participants rated women as more comfortable working alone with men than the liberal male participants rated them.
Overall, Lisnek et. al’s (2022) study finds that not only does gender matter in perceptions of increased women’s voice, men’s victimization, and #MeToo issues, but so does political ideology. More specifically, male conservatives are less receptive of #MeToo issues, are hyper-aware and less accepting of women having increased voice and power and perceive men as facing increased possibility of being accused (when innocent) due to #MeToo and women’s empowerment. This article is important and relevant to my paper because it showcases how in a society that is dominated by masculinity, neoliberalism, capitalism, and the patriarchy, that a movement like #MeToo empowering women will be perceived as directly trying to dismantle men’s power and the status quo. This will lead to more harsh media framing to subdue women’s voices, which directly impacts the efficacy of the #MeToo movement.
Written by: Lily Philbrook