Rape-Accepting Attitudes: Comparisons across Age Cohorts in China

• In Event: Victim blaming based on myths about rape and sexual assault

Abstract

Introduction: Researchers studying rape conclude that false beliefs concerning causes and consequences of rape persistently exist across different cultures, significantly contributing to a large number of sexual assault cases. However, a research gap exists in the study of rape-accepting attitudes in Chinese context.

Objectives: This study aims to understand similarities and differences in perception and interpretation of rape-accepting attitudes among Chinese young generations.

Design: A qualitative semi-structured interview study

Setting: Beijing, China

Participants: The study recruits three Chinese young age cohorts: 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

Sampling: Quota and snowball sampling

Results: Findings show that several common themes concerning rape-accepting attitudes exist among different age cohorts, such as “context prior to the occurrence of rape”, “individual responsibility for one’s safety”, and “women’s consent and rape”. Compared to women, men are more likely to hold rape-accepting beliefs, such as “interpreting ‘no’ as yes”. Moreover, differences exist among three age cohorts in the perceptions of rape and sexual assault.

Implications: This study is a pioneer study as to the perceptions of rape across age cohorts in China. It adds to the literature about the impact of gender and generation differences on the acceptance of rape-supportive attitudes.

Author

• Jia Xue, University of Pennsylvania