The Relationship Between Alcohol and Sexual Agency for Young Women in University
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The Relationship Between Alcohol and Sexual Agency for Young Women in University by Erin Elizabeth Cusack BSc., Dalhousie University, 2011 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Social Dimensions of Health Program Erin Elizabeth Cusack, 2017 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee The Relationship Between Alcohol and Sexual Agency for Young Women in University by Erin Elizabeth Cusack BSc., Dalhousie University, 2011 Supervisory Committee Dr. Charlotte Loppie, School of Public Health and Social Policy Co-Supervisor Dr. Bernie Pauly, School of Nursing Co-Supervisor Dr. Lyn Davis, School of Public Administration Member iii Abstract A link between binge drinking, negative sexual health outcomes, and sexual victimization among university populations is well established in the research literature (Messman-Moore et al., 2013; PHAC, 2016; Smith et al., 2009). Despite these known risks, young people often hold beliefs that alcohol consumption can enhance or facilitate their sexual experiences, however, less is known about the role of alcohol in young women’s consensual sexual experiences. In this qualitative study, I used a feminist perspective to explore young women’s perceptions and experiences of the role of alcohol in their sexual agency – the ability to communicate and fulfill their sexual desires and boundaries – and the social norms that influence this relationship. I collected data through interviews with 14 young university women between the ages of 19 and 25 who identified as heterosexual, lesbian, bisexual, or queer. Participants identified heteronormative sexuality norms that influence the role of alcohol in their sexual agency, namely the prioritization of women’s sexual inexperience, female sexual fidelity, and women’s attractiveness. Participants perceived that alcohol influenced their sexual agency at an individual and social level. In their individual experiences, participants discussed the dis-inhibitory effects of alcohol as a “tool” to alleviate feelings of shame associated with sexual expression and negative body image. At a social level, participants used alcohol as a means to deflect social stigma associated sexual expression as they could “blame the alcohol” as their motivation for engaging in sexual activity. These findings suggest that young women’s motivations for drinking may be linked to sexuality norms that discourage young women’s sexual agency, which could be relevant to consider in health promotion and harm reduction efforts. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ...................................................................................................... ii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................... v Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................ 2 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................... 4 Definitions and Assumptions .......................................................................................... 6 Literature Review .............................................................................................................. 10 Theoretical Perspective ..................................................................................................... 29 Methodology and Methods ............................................................................................... 38 Methodology - Critical Discourse Analysis .................................................................. 38 Analytical Framework - Intersectionality ..................................................................... 41 Methods –Individual Interviews ................................................................................... 52 Participants .................................................................................................................... 54 Recruitment ................................................................................................................... 57 Findings ............................................................................................................................ 60 Discussion ....................................................................................................................... 124 Implications of the Findings and Future Research Directions ........................................ 141 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 145 References ....................................................................................................................... 150 Appendix 1 – Interview Guide ........................................................................................ 161 Appendix 2 – Recruitment Poster ................................................................................... 166 Appendix 3 – Ethics Certificate ...................................................................................... 167 Appendix 4 – Participant Consent Form ......................................................................... 168 v Acknowledgments I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. Charlotte Loppie, Dr. Bernie Pauly, and Dr. Lyn Davis, for their guidance and support. I am so inspired by your work, your minds, and your passion to make the world around you better. Thank you to the 14 women who volunteered their time for this study, and generously, candidly, and bravely shared their stories and perspectives with me. Thank you to my family – particularly my girl brother – who continued to believe I would actually finish this project, when I didn’t think I could. Thank you to Greg for being my sounding board, giving your gentle and consistent encouragement, and being the best distraction when I needed it. Thank you to all of my sharp-minded and tender-hearted friends who helped and encouraged me: Jenny Johnson, Shawn McEwan, Maggie Patton, Diana Parton, Deanna Dunn, Danielle MacDonald, Kaitlin Lauridsen, Gina Bonang, and Lisa Tofflemire. Jenny, I simply can’t thank you, your critical mind, and your fine-toothed comb enough. Kaitlin, my baby bear, thanks for always pushing me to think deeper and bigger. Introduction There is a significant body of literature associating heavy episodic (binge) drinking – consuming four or more drinks in one event (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health [CAMH], 2005) – with a gamut of harms among university populations (Health Canada, 2011; CAMH, 2005; Poole & Dell, 2005). A similar focus on risky outcomes is found in much of sexual health research for this population, which centres on the negative consequences of sexual behaviour, primarily unprotected heterosexual intercourse, unplanned sexual activity, and the sexual victimization of young women (Benson, Gohm & Goss, 2007; LaBrie, Kenney, Migliuri & Lac, 2011; Testa & Livingston, 2009; Testa & Parks, 1996). Research considering both alcohol use and young women’s sexuality predominantly examines the role of alcohol in the aforementioned risky sexual behaviours (Certain, Harahan, Saewyc & Fleming, 2009; Roberts & Kennedy, 2006; Schacht, et al., 2010) among young women who engage in heavy episodic drinking (Champion et al., 2004; Palmer, McMahon, Rounsaville & Ball, 2009; Testa and Livingston, 2009). While this body of literature is crucial to inform public health efforts to reduce unhealthy drinking behaviours and the associated sexual health harms, important sociocultural influences on young women’s alcohol use and sexuality may not be fully explored. For instance, Cullen (2012) highlights the highly social nature of young people’s drinking as a pleasurable motive for consuming alcohol. The pleasurable aspects of drinking may go beyond the act of consumption and extend to the planning and preparing for drinking events and sharing stories of ‘nights out’ with friends (Cullen, 2 2012; Waitt, Jessop & Gorman-Murray, 2011). Alcohol is often described as a ‘social lubricant’ (George, Gournic & McAfee, 1988) that facilitates social interactions. While the disinhibitory effect of alcohol is typically viewed as problematic for sexual health decision-making, young women may perceive disinhibition as beneficial for sexual expression (Lindgren et al., 2011). Enhanced sexual expression after consuming alcohol may be a motivator for consumption among young women, particularly given traditional feminine gender roles and female sexuality norms that may discourage women’s sexual disinhibition (Gotell, 2008; Measham, 2002; Rudolfsdottir & Morgan, 2009). There is often stigma around women’s consumption of alcohol given the associated effects on sexuality, however, alcohol use may also serve as a ‘free pass’ for women to act outside these traditional notions of female gender and sexuality (Lindgren, Pantalone,