American Coeds' Reasoning for Engaging in Unwanted Sex

• In Event: 380 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 08. Sexual Experiences

Abstract

This paper applies the theory of the "male in the head" (Holland et al. 2004) to sexual decision making regarding unwanted sex. I use qualitative and quantitative data to examine reasons why American college men and women engage in sexual activity when they do not want to. Unwanted sex is characterized differently from coerced or non-consensual sex in that actors choose to engage in it when they do not wish to, because the choice to do it offers them some perceived social benefit, or for men, refusal may be accompanied by a social cost. These perceived costs and benefits are rooted in ideas about the male peer group and its power to bestow or remove status, demonstrating that the "male in the head" is still operative in sexual decision making for young women and men.

Author

• Rachel Kalish, SUNY College at Old Westbury