Traditional Schemes of Sexual Gender Roles, Power in Relationships and Dating Violence

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the double sexual standard, power in sexual relationships, attitudes towards gender roles and dating violence, and a comparison between a sample of Colombian adolescents and young people and Mexicans, through an observational-analytical cross-sectional study with a correlational-comparative design. 2,698 young people and adults aged 14 to 47 (M = 20.15, SD = 2.73) from the countries of Colombia (59.6%) and Mexico (40.4%) participated. Participants from Colombia and Mexico were found to use dating violence in a bidirectional way. Likewise, in both countries, sexist attitudes, double sexual standards and, power in relationships were directly and significantly correlated with various types of violence received and practiced. The results emphasize the importance of studying the relationships of traditionalist gender attitudes and behaviors with dating violence to be included in future research to design programs for the prevention of mistreatment in dating.