No Means No but Socialization Matters: How Relationship Length and Sex of Initiator Influences Perceptions of Rape Culture
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Authors
Christian, Sydney M.
Issue Date
2020
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Rape culture is a circumstance that occurs worldwide and originates from socialization and normalization. The social attitudes that students hold toward normalizing sexual assault and rape, specifically when the lines are blurred, and the interaction is not clearly defined. This study examined students’ perceptions surrounding rape culture. Participants,11males and 37 females, read a brief scenario depicting a sexual encounter between a heterosexual couple where the length of the relationship and initiator’s sex were manipulated. They had been in a relationship for six weeks or one year and the male or female initiated the sexual encounter. Students’ then answered several questions regarding their perception of rape culture. Results showed that the sexually persistent female was perceived as more attractive compared to the sexually persistent male for engaging in the same behaviors. The socialization of males and females sends strong messages regarding sexual assault initiated by a male. In contrast, the normalization of rape culture becomes less defined when the aggressor is female. Future research is warranted to gain a better understanding of acceptable behaviors of rape culture in relation to men and women and how socialization reinforces sexual persistence