A Critical Examination of Affirmative Consent: Additional Topics and Policies to Consider

• In Event: Politics, Policies, and Victimization

Abstract

Affirmative consent policies are becoming more popular, particularly on college campuses, yet the definitions of consent vary among scholars and lay people alike. It appears that while affirmative consent is an attractive policy that will render consent a black and white concept, the literature highlights that sexual relations are anything but black and white. The authors of this article systematically reviewed the available empirical evidence, sociolegal scholarship, and feminist theoretical frameworks regarding affirmative consent. Our major findings show that affirmative consent does not adequately take into account invisible power dynamics in heterosexual relations. We conclude with an overview of alternative policies and approaches that should be considered either in place of or in tandem with affirmative consent policies.

Authors

• Brandie S. Pugh, University of Delaware

• Patricia Becker, University of Delaware