1. Veikko H.Beswick
How gender roles affect the dynamics of power within modern courtship ritual: A case study of Aberdeen University students’ courtship initiation and maintenance methods

2. Question examples
-- Would you somehow let this person know you're interested in him/her or would you wait for a signal that he/she is interested in you?
-- Would you try to court the girl/boy in this situation? (7-point Likert scale, `I'm sure I wouldn't--I'm sure I would')
-- Who do you think generally makes the first move in courting? (`men', `women' or `more or less the same')
-- Who do you think should make the first move? (`men', `women' or `it doesn't matter')
-- Name three ways in which you would let this girl/boy know you're interested

3. Contrasting Tables
Present opportunities to meet members of the opposite sex.
1945
Response Male Female
Adequate %
Inadequate %
Total no
2006
Response Male Female
Adequate %
Inadequate %
Total no

4. More Tables Do you take the initiative in courtship? 1945
Responses Male Female
Never %
Sometimes %
Always %
Total no
2006
Responses Male Female
Never %
Sometimes %
Always %
Total no

5. Conclusions
Females initiate, and to some extent maintain initial courtship ritual
Dynamics of power have shifted over last few decades
Reasons
Women are slowly becoming more equal?
General distrust of men due to increased instances of rape and sexual assault, increased media coverage, and increased knowledge of sex crime
Possible Results
Short term effect of gender equality is an increased rape rate because of increased threats to the status quo (but perhaps increased rape rates and increased media attention can be a catalyst for equality through distrust of men and so a continued shift in the power dynamic). Long term effect of gender equality then, is reduced rape rates via an improved social climate.