Impact of Prison Experience on Anti-gay Sentiments: Longitudinal Analysis of Inmates and Their Families

Maxim Ananyev () and Mikhail Poyker ()
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Maxim Ananyev: University of Melbourne
Mikhail Poyker: University of Texas at Austin

No 17137, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Inmates' informal code often ascribes low status to persons perceived as passive homosexuals. We use longitudinal data to investigate whether prison experience contributes to anti-gay beliefs. We find that prison experience prompts a higher level of anti-gay sentiments among males and their families, while no discernible difference exists before incarceration. We find no effect for female ex-prisoners. We confirm that the results are not driven by pre-incarceration trends, changes in trust and social capital, socioeconomic status, mental health, masculinity norms, and other potential alternative explanations. Our study sheds light on the overlooked role of prisons as a significant contributor to the propagation of anti-gay attitudes.

Keywords: tolerance; homosexuals; incarceration; Australia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H76 J15 K42 M14 P00 R29 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 52 pages
Date: 2024-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-law
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