Socially Interactive Technology and Contemporary Dating

• Author: Kelly Fauth,Alison Marganski
• DOI: 10.1177/1057567713513797
• Published date: 01 December 2013
• Date: 01 December 2013
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

Socially Interactive

Technology and

Contemporary Dating:

A Cross-Cultural Exploration

of Deviant Behaviors

Among Young Adults in

the Modern, Evolving

Technological World

Alison Marganski

1

and Kelly Fauth

1

Abstract

This cross-cultural research study explores socially interactive technology (SIT) and contemporary

dating among young adults in Poland as well as in the United States. Specifically, the study investigates

characteristics of and cultural differences in the nature of modern dating relationships with a focus

on deviant dating behaviors. It was hypothesized that students in the United States would have

higher rates of nontraditional dating relationships and engage in more sexualized behaviors via social

media. Alternative hypotheses were provided regarding cultural differences in the reporting of

socially interactive (SI) relational aggression. Online surveys asking about relationship characteristics

and behaviors that occurred through short messaging services, also referred to as text messaging,

and social networking were administered to students in both countries. Findings revealed statisti-

cally significant differences between countries in regard to dating composition and sexual behavior.

The predictions that American students would have more nontraditional relationships and engage in

more sexualized behaviors were supported. Findings also revealed that rates of SI relational aggres-

sion were higher among American students than their Polish counterparts, and subsequent analyses

revealed that those who engaged in sexualized acts were more likely to report SI relational aggres-

sion victimization and perpetration, which offered evidence in support of lifestyle theory. Gender

differences also emerged. A discussion follows summarizing the findings, limitations, and directions

for future research.

1

Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk, VA, USA

Corresponding Author:

Alison Marganski, Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice, Virginia Wesleyan College, 1584 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk,

VA 23502, USA.

Email: amarganski@vwc.edu

International CriminalJustice Review

2013, Vol. 23(4) 357-377

ª2013 Georgia State University

Reprints and permission:

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DOI: 10.1177/1057567713513797

icj.sagepub.com

Keywords

comparative crime/justice, other, violent behavior, other

Introduction

Socially interactive technology (SIT) has and continues to infiltrate the lives of many young

adults across the world. It has made it easier than ever before to communicate with ‘‘friends’’ as well

as individuals whom we may have romantic interests in. SIT, including mobile phone short messa-

ging services (SMS), also known as text messaging, and online exchanges via social networking

(SN), has connected record amounts of people and made possibilities for intimacy endless. It has

also opened the door for new types of behaviors including sexual and aggressive acts. While the

United States is a lead consumer of technology and immersed (or, shall we say, completely depen-

dent on) socially interactive (SI) means of communication, deviant dating behaviors arising through

these forms of media, both sexual and psychological, have largely been minimized or overlooked,

especially when it comes to adults. Other countries have increasingly been utilizing SIT and are

likely to encounter similar issues; Poland is one country with rates similar in many respects to that

of the United States. Yet from a cultural perspective, we know little about dating characteristics, sex-

ualized behaviors occurring through SIT, or communicative relational violence through SIT. The

current study will explore these issues.

SIT

SIT has shaped our everyday lives. Mobile phones, also referred to as cellular phones, are now

more common than landlines and the reliance on these wireless devices for alternate forms of com-

munication is rapidly growing. A study by the National Center for Health Statistics indicates that one

of the every four American households have one or more mobile phones but no landline, but only

one of the every seven American homes have a landline without a mobile phone; homes with both

landline and mobile phones are found in about three of the every five homes (Blumberg & Luke,

2009). These estimates continue to be on an upward trajectory. In Poland, about 1 of the every 2

households are estimate to have mobile phones but no landline, 1 of the every 10 have a landline

without a mobile phone, and 2 of the every 5 have both (IT and Telecommunications in Central and

Eastern Europe, 2012). Mobile phones have advanced the way in which we communicate with each

other. Of the approximate 85%of Americans who own mobile phones, the vast majority regularly

sends and receives short messages/texts; one estimate suggests over two thirds do (Kohut et al.,

2011) while another suggests it’s three quarters (Smith, 2011). What’s more, SMS has been identi-

fied as a preferred means of communication for some when contrasted with traditional phone calls,

particularly among young adults who are heavy text users (Smith, 2011). In Western Europe, similar

rates of mobile phone ownership and SMS have been noted (see Kohut et al., 2011 for a breakdown).

For example, among Poles, 78%have reported mobile phone ownership and of these individuals, the

majority (85%) report regularly using SMS (Kohut et al., 2011). Thus, rates of mobile phone pos-

session and SMS are comparable in these countries. This technology is commonly being used in

place of verbal communications in both countries, thereby evolving the means by which we interact

with others. Additionally, over half of Americans (57%) and Poles (56%) report taking pictures or

videos from their mobile devices and just under half of Americans (43%) and one third of Poles

access the Internet from them (Kohut et al., 2011).

While the United States and Poland share similar rates of mobile phone possession, their Internet

use illustrates a slight discrepancy. The International Telecommunication Union estimates that

approximately 80%of the American population (United States of America, 2010) and about 60%

358 International Criminal Justice Review 23(4)