Veikko H.Beswick How gender roles affect the dynamics of power within modern courtship ritual: A case study of Aberdeen University students’ courtship initiation and maintenance methods

Question examples -- Would you somehow let this person know you're interested in him/her or would you wait for a signal that he/she is interested in you? -- Would you try to court the girl/boy in this situation? (7-point Likert scale, `I'm sure I wouldn't--I'm sure I would') -- Who do you think generally makes the first move in courting? (`men', `women' or `more or less the same') -- Who do you think should make the first move? (`men', `women' or `it doesn't matter') -- Name three ways in which you would let this girl/boy know you're interested

Contrasting Tables Present opportunities to meet members of the opposite sex.   1945 Response Male Female Adequate % 64.9 59.4 Inadequate % 35.1 40.6 Total no. 141 258 2006 Response Male Female Adequate % 45.5 85.7 Inadequate % 54.5 14.3 Total no. 44 49

More Tables Do you take the initiative in courtship? 1945 Responses Male Female Never % 29.4 56.5 Sometimes % 54.8 43.1 Always % 14.8 0.04 Total no. 314 582 2006 Responses Male Female Never % 20.5 12.2 Sometimes % 50.0 57.1 Always % 29.5 30.7 Total no. 44 49

Conclusions Females initiate, and to some extent maintain initial courtship ritual Dynamics of power have shifted over last few decades Reasons Women are slowly becoming more equal? General distrust of men due to increased instances of rape and sexual assault, increased media coverage, and increased knowledge of sex crime Possible Results Short term effect of gender equality is an increased rape rate because of increased threats to the status quo (but perhaps increased rape rates and increased media attention can be a catalyst for equality through distrust of men and so a continued shift in the power dynamic). Long term effect of gender equality then, is reduced rape rates via an improved social climate.