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Understanding Community-Specific Rape Myths

Exploring Student Athlete Culture

Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, smcmahon{at}rci.rutgers.edu

Using multiple measurement methods offers an opportunity to gain culturally specific information about rape myths. This study focuses on the subculture of student athletes and uses a survey, focus groups, and individual interviews to explore the meaning and role of rape myths. Although the survey indicates a low acceptance of rape myths, this finding is contradicted by the results of the focus groups and individual interviews. Subtle, yet pervasive, rape myths are discovered, as are myths that are unique to the student athlete community. This method provides a framework for social workers to explore rape myths in other communities and to subsequently develop appropriate educational and intervention programs to address and ultimately prevent rape.

Key Words: mixed research methods • rape • student athletes

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Affilia, Vol. 22, No. 4, 357-370 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0886109907306331


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by McMahon, S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?