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Author ORCID Identifier
N/A
AccessType
Open Access Dissertation
Document Type
dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Degree Program
Education
Year Degree Awarded
2014
Month Degree Awarded
February
First Advisor
Kathryn McDermott
Second Advisor
Elizabeth Williams
Third Advisor
Alexandrina Deschamps
Subject Categories
Higher Education | Higher Education Administration
Abstract
The use of social networking sites appears to be a dominant fixture in the lives of college students. Recent studies estimate that over 94% of traditionally aged college students utilize social networking sites (Matney, Borland, & Cope, 2006; Salaway, Katz, Caruso, Kvavik, & Nelson, 2007: Smith & Caruso, 2010). College students’ near universal adoption and use of social networking sites is having a significant impact on how they develop identity and interact with others (Lloyd, Dean, & Cooper, 2007; Martínez Alemán & Lynk Wartman, 2009; Torres, Jones, & Renn, 2009). Studies have explored the impact of gender differences on social networking sites’ use and how students of color utilize these sites; however, research has not examined how White, gay, male college students utilize and are impacted by social networking sites (boyd, 2007; Gasser, 2008; Hargittai, 2007; Slater, 2002).
This exploratory study fills not only a critical gap in the research regarding the experiences of White, gay, male college students’ use of gay-oriented social networking sites but of college students’ use of these sites. Designed as a phenomenological study, the research consisted of a set of two semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from nine participants who attend one major research university. The two interviews and questions were designed to build rapport with the participants. The nine participants provided significant exposure to the ways that gay students utilize gay-oriented social networking sites. This study’s focus on White, gay, college men’s use of gay-oriented social networking sites makes three significant contributions to the literature: (1) explores and describes what the experience is like for these students, (2) identifies common benefits and challenges students’ experience, and (3) offers critical insights for higher education professionals, specifically student affairs administrators, tasked with providing services for gay students.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/1yb7-7m38
Recommended Citation
Dodge, Michael T., "Investing in Grindr: An Exploration of How Gay College Men Utilize Gay-Oriented Social Networking Sites" (2014). Doctoral Dissertations. 72.
https://doi.org/10.7275/1yb7-7m38
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/72