Young women's perceptions of safety during initial dating encounters : a qualitative study

Abstract

The persistence of gendered power structures in today's modern age and the constant prevalence of women's victimization, especially through sexual violence, triggered the inquiry into women's perceptions of safety during initial dating encounters with men and any safety measures they engage in. This qualitative study builds on previous literature addressing gender roles to accentuate female reality, common dating behaviours and the scripts that guide them, and women's perceptions surrounding the subject of heterosexual dating. Heterosexual Maltese women between the ages of 18-30, were put into focus groups to answer the research questions through talking and discussing. The results from this study are that their perceptions of dating are impacted by their age and experience, media and people close to them. Women's primary fears are men with bad intentions, aggressive retaliation and bad naming. Women protect themselves through slowly building a rapport with the man, taking charge of date details and keeping in communication with someone they trust.