Romance, Status, and Aggression

• In Event: Social Contexts of Teen Dating Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Recent research finds linkages between bullying behavior in early adolescence and subsequent involvement in dating violence. Here, we broaden this investigation by examining the interplay between networks of friendship, romance, and aggression. We explore how competition for social status and romantic partners generates aggression, and are able to consider relations among not only current, but past dating partners. We anticipate higher rates of aggression between friends, current dating partners, and former dating partners, but also anticipate conflict between those who share romantic ties in common and between those who are friends with current or former dating partners. We test arguments concerning status and rivalry using longitudinal network data from a school in New York.

Authors

• Robert Faris, University of California, Davis

• Diane Felmlee, Pennsylvania State University