a United States Military Academy, West Point , New York , USA.
J Homosex. 2013;60(11):1557-80. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2013.824322.
The U.S. military's ban on open homosexuality has become an increasingly salient issue since its implementation in 1993 and its repeal in 2011. The military is an organization with a unique professional and social organization. Evaluating military attitudes from a network perspective may offer insight into the role of formal and informal leadership in engendering attitudinal change and cultural tolerance around homosexuality. This study evaluates the role of network centrality and network exposure across formal (command networks) and informal (friendship and perceived leadership networks) structures on attitudes toward homosexuality in the military. This work analyzes survey data from a single cadet company within the U.S. Military Academy (n = 139) prior to the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Results indicate that popular students tend to show tolerance toward homosexuality, whereas those who hold command leadership positions are more likely to have personal and professional opposition to homosexuality. In addition, formal superior-subordinate relationships are somewhat more likely to suggest social contagion compared to informal leadership and friendship relationships. Recommendations offer guidance for training strategies particularly with respect to a military leaders and socialization. Future research should monitor these issues relative to the post-DADT environment.
自 1993 年实施、2011 年废除美国军队禁止公开同性恋以来,这一禁令一直是一个日益突出的问题。军队是一个具有独特专业和社会组织的组织。从网络角度评估军队的态度,可能有助于了解正式和非正式领导在同性恋态度转变和文化包容方面的作用。本研究评估了网络中心性和网络暴露在正式(指挥网络)和非正式(友谊和感知领导网络)结构中对军队中同性恋态度的作用。这项工作分析了美国军事学院(n = 139)的一个学员连队在废除《不问,不说》之前的调查数据。结果表明,受欢迎的学生往往对同性恋持宽容态度,而那些担任指挥领导职务的人更有可能对同性恋表示个人和职业上的反对。此外,与非正式的领导和友谊关系相比,正式的上下级关系更有可能暗示社会传染。建议为培训策略提供了指导,特别是在军队领导和社会化方面。未来的研究应该监测这些问题,以了解后 DADT 时代的情况。