Citation

Wigderson S, Katz J. Violence Against Women 2015; 21(5): 616-631.

Affiliation

State University of New York at Geneseo, USA katz@geneseo.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801215573333

PMID

25757718

Abstract

Previous research has not conclusively determined whether traditional femininity increases women's risk for sexual assault. Certain femininity beliefs, such as valuing deference, may increase risk for sexual assault by discouraging sexual refusal assertiveness (SRA). Other femininity beliefs, such as valuing purity, may promote self-protective behaviors. College women (N = 254) provided self-report data on these beliefs, risk and protective behaviors, and sexual assault experiences. Traditional femininity was not directly associated with experiencing sexual assault. However, specific traditional beliefs were related to behaviors directly associated with risk. High SRA and sexual abstinence simultaneously reduced the odds for sexual assault.

Language: en