I’d hook up with them, but never date them: how attitudes towards hooking up influence willingness to date those with a criminal history

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

ABSTRACT While research suggests that marriage and relationships play an important part in desistance, there is a lack of research examining the role criminal stigma plays in creating romantic relationships and that attitudinal factors that may affect someone’s decision to pursue a relationship with formerly convicted individuals. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by examining the relationship between endorsement of hook up culture and willingness to date someone carrying a criminal history. Using street intercepts, over 600 adults in the United States were asked to complete a survey measuring various demographic and attitudes to examine their dating behavior. Results from the study suggest that a respondents’ endorsement of hook up culture influences the willingness of a person to engage in a committed relationship such as dating. Unsurprisingly, criminal history, crime type, political leanings, and gender also influenced the willingness to date someone with a prior conviction while controlling for other demographic factors. The results of the study implicate the importance of considering the attitudinal and contextual factors related to the decision to engage in romantic relationships, committed or otherwise, with people who have a criminal record.