scholarly journals Myths about Sexual Aggression, Sexual Assertiveness and Sexual Violence in Adolescent Romantic Relationships

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 8744
Author(s):  
Andrés A. Fernández-Fuertes ◽  
Noelia Fernández-Rouco ◽  
Susana Lázaro-Visa ◽  
Eva Gómez-Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Social Issue ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sexual Aggression ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Focal Points ◽  
Heterosexual Relationships ◽  
Sexual Assertiveness ◽  
Adolescent Romantic Relationships

Sexual violence is a worldwide health and social issue. However, little is known about the sexual violence that occurs in the context of romantic relationships. This study analyzes the existence of sexual violence in adolescents’ romantic relationships, the possible associations between such violence (both committed and suffered) and myths about sexual aggression and sexual assertiveness, and the possible gender-related distinctions. A sample of 329 students aged between 15 and 19 (M = 16.3; SD = 0.79) was surveyed; all participants were in a romantic relationship when the data were collected. The results reveal that both genders report the existence of sexual violence in their romantic relationships; however, in heterosexual relationships, males were more often the perpetrators of sexual violence. Additionally, myths about sexual aggression and sexual assertiveness were found to be significantly associated with both perpetration and victimization. Accordingly, these predictors should be focal points in prevention programs for adolescent sexual violence. The findings of this study show the de-prioritization of sexuality education in the Spanish educational system, as well as the need to strengthen the competence of adolescents in this area.

Love, Sex, and Crime: Adolescent Romantic Relationships and Offending

2008 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 944-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill McCarthy ◽  
Teresa Casey
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
School Failure ◽  
Adolescent Delinquency ◽  
Adolescent Romantic Relationships ◽  
Adolescent Health Survey ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Adolescent Sexual Activity

Scholars are often pessimistic about adolescent dating, linking it to increases in depression, interpersonal violence, conflict with parents, school failure, associations with delinquents, substance use, and offending. Yet, the various dimensions of dating may have opposing consequences. The closeness offered by adolescent romantic love may fill an important void found between the weakening of bonds with parents and the onset of adult attachments, and it may discourage an array of negative outcomes, including involvement in crime. Adolescent sexual activity, in contrast, may increase offending, in part by augmenting the strain created by relationships. When coupled with a romantic relationship, however, sex is likely less stressful and consequential for crime. In this article, we analyze patterns of romance, sexual behavior, and adolescent crime with panel data from the nationally representative Adolescent Health Survey. Findings support our expectations regarding differential effects of romance and sex. We conclude by discussing the implications of these results for understanding adolescent delinquency, social attachments, and development.

Adolescent romantic relationships in China and Canada: A cross-national comparison

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Hong Li ◽  
Jennifer Connolly ◽  
Depeng Jiang ◽  
Debra Pepler ◽  
Wendy Craig
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Chinese Adolescents ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Parental Relationships ◽  
Adolescent Romantic Relationships ◽  
The Two Cultures ◽  
National Comparison ◽  
Chinese Girls

This study compared the romantic involvements of Canadian and Chinese adolescents as well as linkages with friend and parental relationships. Participants were 496 Chinese adolescents and 395 Canadian adolescents, aged 16—17 years. Chinese adolescents were less likely to have any form of romantic involvement, including a romantic relationship, displayed lower levels of romantic experience, and had fewer close romantic relationships. Gender moderated cultural differences, with Chinese girls least involved in romantic experiences. Although friendships were more intimate in Canada and parent relationships were closer in China, the linkages of parental and friend relationships with romantic experience were quite consistent across the two cultures, with friends being positively linked to romantic experiences and parents indirectly linked through their connection to friends. Among Chinese adolescents, parents also directly connected with romantic experiences in a negative direction. Implications of the findings for understanding the interface between individual growth and cultural context are discussed.

scholarly journals Privileging the Bromance: A Critical Appraisal of Romantic and Bromantic Relationships

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 850-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Robinson ◽  
Adam White ◽  
Eric Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Emotional Disclosure ◽  
First Century ◽  
Heterosexual Relationships ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Undergraduate Men

In this research, utilizing data from thirty semistructured interviews, we examine how heterosexual undergraduate men compare their experiences of bromances to that of their romantic relationships (romances). We find that the increasingly intimate, emotive, and trusting nature of bromances offers young men a new social space for emotional disclosure, outside of traditional heterosexual relationships. Participants state that the lack of boundaries and judgment in a bromance is expressed as emotionally rivalling the benefits of a heterosexual romance. Our participants mostly determined that a bromance offered them elevated emotional stability, enhanced emotional disclosure, social fulfilment, and better conflict resolution, compared to the emotional lives they shared with girlfriends. Thus, this research provides an empirically grounded conceptual framework for understanding men’s view of close homosocial relationships in comparison to their romantic relationship in the twenty-first century.

The Perceived Influence of Media and Technology on Adolescent Romantic Relationships

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 651-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mitchell Vaterlaus ◽  
Sarah Tulane ◽  
Brandon D. Porter ◽  
Troy E. Beckert
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Interactive Technology ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Entertainment Media ◽  
Adolescent Romantic Relationships ◽  
Perceived Pressure

Contemporary adolescents rely heavily on technology and media to navigate romantic relationships. In this mixed-methods study, adolescents and young adults ( N = 204) detailed their perceptions of how entertainment media and interactive technology influence adolescent romantic relationships. The majority of adolescents and young adults perceived that entertainment media (95%) and interactive technology (97%) did influence adolescent romantic relationships. Using a qualitative analysis approach, we found six major themes. Although entertainment media provided media role models for expected behavior in romantic relationships, it was also associated with the development of unrealistic relational expectations and perceived pressure to be in a romantic relationship. Participants perceived that interactive technology has changed the way adolescents communicate with romantic partners, become integrated into the entire relationship life cycle, and led to a decline in face-to-face communication in adolescent romantic relationships.

Initiating, Maintaining, or Breaking Up?

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Menegatti ◽  
Monica Rubini
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Level Of Abstraction ◽  
Problematic Relationship ◽  
Abstract Language ◽  
Language Abstraction

Two studies examined whether individuals vary the level of abstraction of messages composed to achieve the relational goals of initiating, maintaining, and ending a romantic relationships when the goal of communication was self-disclosure or persuading one’s partner. Study 1 showed that abstract language was preferred to disclose thoughts and feelings about initiating a romantic relationship or to persuade the partner to consolidate a long-term one. Study 2 revealed that participants used abstract terms to persuade the partner to continue a problematic relationship and to disclose their thoughts on ending it. These results show that language abstraction is a flexible means to handle individuals’ goals and influence the course of romantic relationships.

scholarly journals Ambivalent sexism and relationship adjustment among young adult couples: An actor-partner interdependence model

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110055
Author(s):  
Mylène Lachance-Grzela ◽  
Bingyu Liu ◽  
Andréanne Charbonneau ◽  
Geneviève Bouchard
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Ambivalent Sexism ◽  
Benevolent Sexism ◽  
Hostile Sexism ◽  
Relationship Adjustment ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model

This study examined the associations between ambivalent sexism (i.e., hostile and benevolent sexism) and relationship adjustment in young adult couples by testing an actor-partner interdependence model. The sample was composed of 219 cohabiting heterosexual Canadian couples. The findings suggest that ambivalent sexism plays a role in young adults’ perceptions of the quality of their romantic relationship, but gender differences exist. Women and men who more strongly endorsed hostile sexism tended to report lower relationship adjustment. Women’s hostile sexism was also negatively related to their partners’ relationship adjustment, whereas their benevolent sexism was positively related to their own and their partners’ relationship adjustment. For their part, men’s ambivalent sexism was unrelated to their partners’ relationship adjustment and their benevolent sexism was also unrelated to their own relationship adjustment. The results are discussed in light of the insidious consequences that can accompany ambivalent sexism. Even though hostile sexism functions to protect men’s societal advantages, it comes with costs to their romantic relationships. In contrast, despite the rewards benevolent sexism can bring on the relational level, its endorsement may hinder the attainment of gender equality by encouraging women to invest in their relationship at the expense of independent achievements.

Preventing Acquaintance Rape Through Education

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Lonsway
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Sexual Aggression ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Acquaintance Rape ◽  
Rape Prevention ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Underlying Assumption ◽  
Prevention Education ◽  
Actual Incidence

Emerging information that rape primarily occurs between acquaintances has not only exploded our understanding of this problem, but forced a reexamination of our notions of prevention. In recent years, the vast majority of rape prevention programs have taken the format of educational workshops, with the underlying assumption that change in rape-supportive ideologies will decrease the actual incidence of sexual aggression. This article critically reviews such rape prevention education with particular focus on common techniques such as: “debunking” rape mythology, generating participant interaction, providing sexuality education and a feminist orientation, and avoiding confrontational approaches. Finally, theoretical and practical concerns are discussed regarding previous experiences of sexual victimization or perpetration, the conceptualization and use of outcome measures, issues of program facilitation, and processes underlying change in rape-supportive ideologies. It is concluded that future research must seriously address these many issues through thoughtful conceptualization and rigorous experimentation, so that the promise of rape prevention can be fully realized.

scholarly journals Sexual wellbeing in early adolescence: a cross-sectional assessment among girls and boys in urban Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E. Kågesten ◽  
Anggriyani Wahyu Pinandari ◽  
Anna Page ◽  
Siswanto Agus Wilopo ◽  
Miranda van Reeuwijk
Keyword(s):  
Early Adolescence ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Body Satisfaction ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexual Wellbeing

Abstract Background Early adolescence (ages 10–14) is a critical period of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, which affect sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Yet, little is known about positive or healthy aspects of sexuality development during this period of life, especially in South East Asia where sexual norms remain restrictive. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual wellbeing among early adolescent girls and boys ages 10–14 years in Indonesia. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were collected as part of the Global Early Adolescent Study via a school-based survey in three Indonesian urban sites in 2018 (N = 4309). We assessed the prevalence of multiple indicators of sexual wellbeing (e.g. SRHR knowledge and communication, gender attitudes, body satisfaction, self-efficacy, freedom from violence) and tested for differences by sex using Chi-square, Student t-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the adjusted odds ratio of selected indicators in relation to sociodemographic factors, romantic relationship status, and sexual activities. Results The mean age of students was 12 years (53% girls); 90% had started puberty. SRHR knowledge and communication was low overall, but higher among boys than girls. Boys were more likely than girls to report high body satisfaction, less feelings of guilt in relation to sexuality, but also to have experienced physical peer violence. In contrast, girls were more likely to hold gender equal attitudes, greater perceived self-efficacy to say ‘no’, and to report being bullied by boys. In multivariable models, romantic relationship experiences, perceived voice (boys and girls) and decision-making (girls) were associated with three or more indicators of sexual wellbeing. Conclusions While young adolescents in Indonesia score high on some aspects of sexual wellbeing, misconceptions, feelings of guilt and uncertainties related to sexuality are common, with clear gender differences. These findings confirm the need for comprehensive sexuality education that begins early in adolescence.

Examining Whether Social Anxiety Influences Satisfaction in Romantic Relationships

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Frances L. Doyle ◽  
Andrew J. Baillie ◽  
Erica Crome
Keyword(s):  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Socially Anxious ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Relationship Processes ◽  
Conflict Initiation ◽  
Romantic Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract Research investigating social anxiety and the impacts on romantic relationships remains scarce. An online questionnaire examining romantic relationship status, social anxiety and depression symptomology, relationship satisfaction, and several relationship processes was completed by 444 adults. Individuals with higher social anxiety were less likely to be in romantic relationships. For the 188 adults in our sample in current relationships, relationship satisfaction was not influenced by social anxiety when controlling for depression. Although it was proposed that self-disclosure, social support, trust, and conflict initiation might influence romantic relationship satisfaction, none of these mechanisms interacted with social anxiety to explain additional variance in relationship satisfaction. These findings indicate that depression symptomology may be a treatment target for socially anxious individuals wishing to improve romantic relationship satisfaction.

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