Feminist Theory: Hypotheses and Evidence (From Theories of Rape: Inquiries Into the Causes of Sexual Aggression, P 19-31, 1989, Lee Ellis -- See NCJ-118654)

• NCJ Number: 118655
• Author(s): L Ellis
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: Hemisphere Publishing Corp
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Hypotheses related to the feminist theory of rape causes are tested from a review of relevant empirical studies.

Abstract

Three of the hypotheses tested are that rape should be associated with sex disparities in social status and power; rape is primarily motivated by a desire for power and dominance rather than a desire for sex; and increased exposure to pornography and prostitution should increase male tendencies to rape. Two other hypotheses are that societal trends toward sexual egalitarianism should be associated with a lessening of rape victimization and rapists should hold less egalitarian and more pro-rape attitudes toward women than nonrapists. A review of the relevant literature does indicate a relationship between rape and sex disparities in sociopolitical and economic affairs (although not in the sense that the risks of rape are lessened by lowering sex disparities in political and economic power, but rather the reverse). Evidence of the relationship between rape and exposure to nonviolent pornography is mixed. Long-term exposure to explicit pornography, however, may increase general tendencies to behave aggressively toward women and decrease the seriousness with which males view rape. Regarding the weaknesses of the feminist theory of rape, it considerably underestimates the degree to which rape is sexually motivated and perhaps overestimates the degree to which "sexist attitudes" are important in inclining males to commit rape.