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Sociological Context
Table of
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Entitlement
- The perspective of entitlement (i.e.,
“I wanted to get what I had comin.’”) has a significant role in date
rape.
- Based on a review of date rape literature and my research
study, it is apparent that many men regard themselves as having a
“right” to sex if they have spent the time and money to entertain
women.
Exchange Theory
- To put the lay interpretation of exchange theory into
perspective, it first needs to be defined. Exchange Theory is
“based on the notion that people think about their relationships in
economic terms” (Turner & West, 2002, p. 198).
- In reference to
long-term relationships, Forsyth explains,
We like people who reward us in some way. A close relationship,
however, depends on the equitable exchange of rewards between
partners.…Thus, in exchange for rewards we receive from our partner,
we provide our partner with the rewards he or she desires….(1987, p.
317)
Illustrative Transcripts
- Here are a few transcript excerpts from several date rapists
verbalizing this perspective:
“A man spends his money on a woman,
she oughta give him some sex” (Interviewee 7)
"I'm gonna wine and
dine you, and then you owe me something at the end” (Interviewee
10)
“I’d already gotten that far, so I wanted to go ahead and get
what I had comin’. It’s what I felt, you know....And I felt the
things that I've done for her, kinda like, proved, I felt, that she
owed me somethin'. I wanted the pleasure--self-gratification.”
(Interviewee 17)
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Research Findings
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