Partisan divides in belief: Perpetrator gender and male rape myth endorsement among U.S. university students.

Objective

This study examines endorsement of male rape myths among U.S. undergraduates, varying perpetrator gender, and assessing differences by respondent gender, race, and partisanship.

Participants

Roughly 945 U.S. undergraduates. Materials and methods: Using survey data, we assess attitudes toward victim blame, the need for counseling, and the perceived impossibility of male sexual victimization.

Results

Respondents generally reject male rape myths, but endorsement increases when the perpetrator is a woman, especially those implying the victim could have prevented the assault or does not require counseling. Women are more likely than men to reject myths, with gender gaps widening when the perpetrator is a woman. Racial differences are modest but consistent, with Black respondents showing somewhat higher myth acceptance, particularly those related to blame and legitimacy of male sexual victimization. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to endorse male rape myths across perpetrator scenarios. Discussion: Results suggest that gendered, racialized, and partisan worldviews shape male rape myths.