Consent? At the Start, You Do Not Even Think About It. Coercive Discourse in the Awakening of Affective–Sexual Relationships in Young Women

Abstract

Extensive scientific evidence suggests that peer interactions influence sexual and affective relationships. Coercive discourse in some peer interactions has also been shown to adversely affect consent in those relationships. However, more research is needed to understand how consent (or the lack of it) is internalized during life trajectories, specifically in the awakening of sexual relationships in young women. In the research project CONSENT framework, 36 women between 18 and 25 years of age participated in interviews and communicative groups. This article presents results related to the role of consent in their life trajectories, indicating that consent is undermined by coercive discourse, significantly impacting their life trajectories, especially in the awakening of sexual relationships. The article discusses how coercive discourse is present at times when learning to decide freely is crucial and decreases consent in relationships.