Who supports #MeToo and the Kavanaugh confirmation? Exploring tolerance for sexual harassment among young adults

Abstract

Young adults have become increasingly involved in political and social movements around sexual harassment. This involvement likely reflects political identity as well ideological beliefs about sexual harassment. We examined how young adults’ ideological beliefs and political party identity are associated with their tolerance of sexual harassment, support for the #MeToo movement and the confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh. Tolerance for sexual harassment was positively associated with endorsement of rape myth acceptance, hostile and benevolent sexism, and was negatively associated with feminist identity, but not associated with gender or political party identity. In contrast, political party identity played an increasingly important role in predicting support for the #MeToo movement and the confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh, such that those who strongly identify as Republican were more likely to support Justice Kavanaugh and not support the #MeToo movement. These findings suggest the #MeToo movement, and the confirmation decision are not perceived as entirely about sexual harassment but increasingly as political issues. Therefore, sexual harassment workplace or university trainings should consider addressing ideological factors. Additionally, in order for anti-sexual harassment laws to be supported by people of all political parties, it is important to frame the issue as nonpolitical.