Citation

Christianson M. Health Care Women Int. 2014; 36(7): 768-783.

Affiliation

a Department of Nursing , Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07399332.2014.900063

PMID

24628513

Abstract

Rape is a widespread but underestimated problem among women. In this article I explore the complexities surrounding the fine line between consensual and non-consensual sexual intercourse, by studying a rape through which a young woman was infected with HIV. I provide an analysis of how to understand and interpret this episode by applying a gender perspective based on patriarchy, namely women's submissive position in heterosexual situations compared to men, and the concept of agency, that is, the individual's own decision-making ability, own choices, and different courses of action available, to outline the frame of action available to the informant. The inclusion of agency and a gender perspective offers new dimensions on how to understand and give meaning to narratives that are seldom told.

Language: en