Young People, Alcohol and Sex: Taking Advantage

Abstract

Addresses perceptions about alcohol effects & sexual behavior among young people in northeastern England via interview data gathered from 10 homogeneous focus groups (N unspecified). Results indicate that both young men (YM) & young women (YW) believe that YW are more likely to have sex if they have consumed alcohol. YM conclude that YW are more indiscriminate & sexually available when drunk, & if a YW loses the will to resist or stops saying no to sexual advances, she is consenting to sex. YW indicate that alcohol consumption would make them more likely to have sex with somebody they were sexually attracted to, cause them to be targeted by YM, & lead to pressure to have sex. These beliefs held true even in the black YW's group, who were all Muslims &, with the exception of one, had not tried alcohol. It is argued that the issues of consent raised here need to be challenged & protective strategies for YW developed. 10 References. M. Greenberg