Exploring Perceptions of Acceptability of Sexting in Same-Sex, Bisexual, Heterosexual Relationships and Communities

Abstract

Communication over the Internet is helpful for marginalized individuals in their efforts to feel a part of the collective whole and gain personal empowerment. For individuals who identify as part of the LGB community, the Internet can be seen as a tool to take control of their lives, may promote self-esteem, and foster a sense of belongingness. The purpose of the study was about sexting practices on college campuses in general. It builds on the existing body of knowledge by attending specifically to sexting rather than the previous literature about engagement in sexual behavior online. Participants responded to a survey on sexting and technology use as well as questions from the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory–Revised (SOI-R) and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS). Findings indicated that sexting is viewed as more acceptable in same-sex relationships compared with heterosexual relationships. Implications for future research include exploring how greater degrees of perceived acceptability manifests in both problematic and advantageous ways in relationships. Implications for practice include being able to identify how same sex couples reporting higher degrees of acceptability with sexting in their relationship can translate to heterosexual relationships.

KEYWORDS:

• texting
• internet
• gay and lesbian
• sexting
• couples

Notes

¹The students involved in the research team were seven master's level marriage and family therapy students (six women and one man) as well as one female undergraduate student. The team's involvement was to generate the research questions and met weekly to revise, add to, and combine questions, both incorporating the previous literature on sexting (specifically citing the Ferguson, 2011 study) as well as their familiarity of sexting practices among their demographic.