Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.61.1.9
Determinants of Attitudes toward Women in the Military
Vesna Trut
orcid.org/0000-0001-6540-4514
; Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”, Zagreb, Croatia
Endica Radić Hozo
; University of Split, Department of Health Studies, Croatia
Boris Milavić
orcid.org/0000-0002-3173-6649
; University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Croatia
Abstract
In recent decades, an increasing number of women are joining the military,
which has been historically a male-dominated institution. This study examined attitudes toward
women in the military and the factors associated with them. The study was conducted
on a random sample of 895 active service members from the Croatian Armed Forces (445 men
and 450 women). The study findings indicate a moderately high approval of women in the
military, but with the existence of significant gender differences. Men expressed more negative
attitudes toward women in the military when compared to women. In addition, the results
of the regression analyses indicated that, among men, hostile sexism, satisfaction with professional
contacts with women in the military, and professional status were significantly associated
with their attitudes toward women in the military. The results also showed that, among
women, hostile sexism, frequency of professional contacts with other women, and educational
level were significantly associated with their attitudes toward women in the military. The study
findings reveal insights into gender relations in the previously unexplored socio-cultural military
context, and have implications for research and practice in the Croatian military. However, this study could also contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of gender
issues within NATO, and could encourage the development of new theoretical models and
cross-cultural research.
Keywords
gender attitudes; sexism; intergroup contact; social identity; women in military; NATO; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
303953
URI
Publication date:
29.5.2023.
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