NCJ Number
94322
Journal
Deviant Behavior Volume: 4 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (April-September 1983) Pages: 241-255
Date Published
1983
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Sex aggression is the forceful pursuit of a sexual goal that offends the victim.
Abstract
Most college women report encountering sex aggression, and about one quarter of college males admit forcefully persisting in their pursuit of a sexual goal after they realize that is disagreeable and offensive to the female. Three explanations for the existence of this substantial number of sex aggressors are discussed and tested. The data are not consistent with the explanation that the young men are responding to feelings of powerlessness. The data are consistent with the explanation that sex aggression is a socially learned aggressive behavior. The data are also consistent with the explanation that sex aggression is a response to structural strain (Merton's anomie) that is mediated by cultural legitimations. (Publisher abstract)