The Impact of Gender and Sexual Orientation on Students' Perceptions Regarding Campus Safety and Concealed Handgun Carry on a University Campus
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D)
Department
Higher Edu and Learning Technology
Date of Award
Spring 2018
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of gender and sexual orientation on students' perceptions of campus safety and carrying concealed handguns. A comparative research study was used to evaluate the statistical differences on the perceptions of fear of crime and campus carry by gender and sexual orientation. For this study, a total of 275 surveys were completed and used for analysis from students at a medium-sized public university in a rural northeast Texas setting.A review of prior literature found that the current study represents the first study conducted at a singular campus since the State of Texas legalized concealed handguns on college and university campuses, examining students' perceptions of campus safety and concealed handgun carry that focused on gender and sexual orientation. There were significant differences between genders in regards to students' feeling safe after dark on campus and there were significant differences between students' perceptions of feeling safe on their campus based on their sexual orientation. In addition, there were noticeable differences between non-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) students and LGBTQ students as a result of the Texas state legislature now allowing concealed handgun carry and the likelihood of the students to carry a concealed handgun on campus now that concealed handguns are legal to bring on campus.Violence on college campuses, regardless of the presence of a concealed handgun, is a concern to all those who are connected to the higher education community. This present study contributes to the existing literature by providing a view of what students perceive in regard to campus safety, as it specifically relates to the gender and sexual orientation differences on the legalization of the presence of concealed handguns on campus.
Advisor
JoHyun Kim
Subject Categories
Education | Educational Technology
Recommended Citation
DEBOER, LEE HENRY, "The Impact of Gender and Sexual Orientation on Students' Perceptions Regarding Campus Safety and Concealed Handgun Carry on a University Campus" (2018). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 466.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/466
