The Perceptions of Date Rape in Thai Patriarchal Society: A Case Study of Female University Students in Bangkok

Abstract

This study analyzes female Thai university students’ perceptions of date rape and the cultural factors that shape them. An integrated theoretical framework is used to connect peace and conflict theories with a sociological paradigm to examine the various cultural aspects involved in formulating date rape perceptions and their implications. The study examines the perspectives of female university students through focus groups, individual interviews, and in-depth interviews with key informants. This qualitative study produced four key findings. First, the students failed to perceive date rape as real rape because of the patriarchal values inherent in sexual interactions that determine cultural scripts. These scripts and perceptions of date rape justify sexual violence in relationships. Second, entertainment media reproduces and reinforces patriarchal sexual values by portraying legitimate and romantic rape scripts. Third, sex-education promotes and embeds inequality in sexual interactions and behaviors, leading to intense victim-blaming and widespread subscription to rape myths. Finally, rape language is  the manifestation and a carrier of cultural violence. Domains of cultural violence establish date rape scripts that force individuals to not perceive date rape as real rape, effectively justifying sexual violence in the context of a relationship.