TY - JOUR

T1 - Homosocial positionings and ambivalent participation

T2 - A qualitative analysis of young adults’ non-consensual sharing and viewing of privately produced sexual images

AU - Mandau, Morten Birk Hansen

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Although quantitative studies have found gender differences in the non-consensual sharing of privately produced sexual images, few studies have explored how these sharing practices are shaped by the gendered social interactions in which they take place. Drawing on qualitative data from seven same-sex focus group interviews, this study examines the non-consensual sharing and viewing of sexual images among young adults. The investigation shows how the non-consensual sharing and view- ing of sexting images is shaped by homosocial interactions and functions in gen- dered patterns of positioning, characterized by status enhancement among boys and visual gossiping among girls. However, the study also finds that young adults’ participation in these sharing practices is ambivalent, as they experience being both drawn to sexual images due to their private and authentic character, and repelled by them owing to the wrongfulness and illegality of sharing them. These findings are discussed in relation to research on youth sexting.

AB - Although quantitative studies have found gender differences in the non-consensual sharing of privately produced sexual images, few studies have explored how these sharing practices are shaped by the gendered social interactions in which they take place. Drawing on qualitative data from seven same-sex focus group interviews, this study examines the non-consensual sharing and viewing of sexual images among young adults. The investigation shows how the non-consensual sharing and view- ing of sexting images is shaped by homosocial interactions and functions in gen- dered patterns of positioning, characterized by status enhancement among boys and visual gossiping among girls. However, the study also finds that young adults’ participation in these sharing practices is ambivalent, as they experience being both drawn to sexual images due to their private and authentic character, and repelled by them owing to the wrongfulness and illegality of sharing them. These findings are discussed in relation to research on youth sexting.

KW - sexting

KW - non-consensual

KW - young adults

KW - qualitative

KW - nudes

KW - authenticity

U2 - 10.7146/mediekultur.v36i67.113976

DO - 10.7146/mediekultur.v36i67.113976

M3 - Journal article

VL - 36

SP - 55

EP - 75

JO - MedieKultur

JF - MedieKultur

SN - 0900-9671

IS - 67

ER -