Date of Award
1-12-2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Denise Donnelly - Chair
Second Advisor
Dawn Baunach
Third Advisor
Elisabeth Sheff
Abstract
This thesis focuses on perceptions of butch privilege in the undergraduate student body at Georgia State University. Butch privilege is similar to traditional definitions of privilege, whether male, white or heterosexual. I define it as the unearned and unacknowledged privilege experienced by a butch lesbian (perceived or self-identified) due to her occupation of masculinity. In order to investigate this topic, an exploratory quantitative analysis of how perceptions of masculinity and status are associated with butch privilege was conducted. A survey consisting of questions regarding participants’ perceptions of how differential privileges are extended to masculine and feminine looking women were presented to undergraduate students during introductory sociology classes. I found that the privileges traditionally reserved for white males in society are perceived to be extended to white butch lesbians due to their occupation of masculinity.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/1062342
Recommended Citation
Walters, Mikel L., ""Excuse me, Ma'am? That's Sir to You!" Perceptions of Butch Privilege in Contemporary Society." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2006.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/1062342