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The Function of Unwanted Consensual Sexual Activity in Dating Relationships
Reneau, Susan
Reneau, Susan
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Abstract
Sometimes individuals consent to sexual activity that they consider unwanted--that is, they engage in unwanted consensual sexual activity (UCSA). Often, they do so to attain desired outcomes, such as strengthening the relationship or avoiding relationship tension. Is UCSA effective in attaining these outcomes? What distinguishes between UCSA that, in hindsight, individuals regard as having been worth it or not worth it? Study participants were 318 female and 245 male college students who completed questionnaires anonymously. Participants who had engaged in UCSA were asked to describe their most "worth it" (most functional, MF) and least "worth it" (least functional, LF) UCSA experiences. For each, they reported how invested they had been in the relationship, their reasons for not wanting the UCSA, their reasons for nevertheless consenting, and the outcomes. They also reported their beliefs about UCSA. Most participants (83%) reported UCSA. Of these, most (271) reported both MF and LF experiences, 134 reported MF only, and 63 reported LF only. MF and LF experiences were compared by within-subject comparisons for the MF-LF group and between-subject comparisons for the MF-only and LF-only groups. All the reasons for not wanting sex--especially concerns that the relationship was too casual and moral concerns--were rated as more important in LF than MF experiences. Relationship investment was lower for LF than MF experiences. The most positive reasons for consenting (those more characteristic of MF than LF experiences) were strengthening the relationship and gaining sexual experience; the most negative reason was relenting to pressure. Consenting in order to avoid relationship tension was rated negatively (related more to LF than MF experiences) for women and positively (related more to MF than LF experiences) for men. Strengthening the relationship, establishing positive regard, and compromise/reciprocity were more common outcomes for MF than LF experiences. Compromising one's values and avoiding relationship tension were common for LF than MF experiences. Beliefs that UCSA is a normative, pro-relationship compromise were endorsed most strongly by the MF-LF group. Beliefs that UCSA reflects insecurity and dishonesty were endorsed most strongly by the LF-only group.
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Date
2006-08-08
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University of Kansas
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This item contains archived web content.
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