IS DATE RAPE ABOUT SEX OR POWER?
Defining Date Rape seems to be one of the hardest things, when it comes to the behavior itself.
Is she "asking for it" with seductive clothing? Do the mixed messages during "making out" allow for its justification?
According to Pirog-Good and Stets, rape is an act of a sexual nature that is forced upon an unwilling victim or that an unwilling victim is forced to perform on someone else. In contrast date rape is a sexual assault that occurs in either serious or casual relationships. Casual dating couples might include those who have met at a party or on a blind date. Date rape is an act of aggression and violence; this implies that the rapist is seeking to assert anger, power, and control.
Some of the statistics of date rape are the following:
Most female victims of date rape are between ages of 12 and 18, 40% being virgins
Women and girls are more likely than men and boys to report being victims of dating violence (less than 30% for males on college campuses)
As the consumption of alcohol by either the victim or perpetrator increases, the rate of serious injuries associated with dating violence also increases (over 55% of incidents)
The most interesting thing we found, concerning the factors that reduced internal inhibitions, were the attitudes of victims. The highest risk group of these women...
1. value traditional sex roles
2. have an acceptance of violence
3. endorse the "rape myth" (that they asked for it)
4. have been a victim of PRIOR ABUSIVE acts (like molestation)
Clearly, not having clear concepts of boundaries and/or assertiveness is a problem, but coupled with the pre-conditions of the average rapist, one can see how prevalent this issue becomes...
Factors that enhance motivation to sexually abuse...
1. power and control needs
2. miscommunication about sex
3. emotional incongruity
4. imbalance in power differential
What are your thoughts and ideas about this issue?
Johnson, I. (2007). Age of Greatest Risk for Victimization. Journal of Criminal Justice, 35 (6), 622-629.
A sample of 868 female college students and data collected from three studies over an eight- year period. The article examines the nature of force in intimate relationships among maturing adolescents.
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People need to take responsibility for their own actions. Nobody "asks" for it. That's the same thing as blaming Hostess for your obsesity problem. Just because a woman (or girl, more often than not) is dressed in a certain way doesn't necessarily imply anything. The guy has to show a certain kind of restraint if he is to function properly in society. It's appalling that these acts occur so often. There are certain cases where the female is partially to blame - if she leads him on for instance and asks for it and then calls it off last second, etc. However, this doesn't excuse the guy's persistant behavior. No matter how wrong she is in doing these things, he's still the one that has the power to stop. There is no all-powerful force that makes him continue on. And date rape is the weapon of a sexual coward.
ReplyDelete--Chris Kato (Group 4, Sexuality)
I think date rape is an extremely important issue that needs to be addressed imediately. I do believe that it is an act of aggression by the man and it probably has something to do with power. The biggest issue involving date rape to me though is the alcohol because with out it half most likely date rape would not occur as often because the opportunity would not be there. Women need to be aware of there surroundings and NEVER out themselves in a position to be over powered or secluded with someone they do not trust fully and entirely. In no way am I saying that any woman who is raped ask for it or wanted it, but I do think that they may have been able to avoid it. Also, the men commiting these acts need help because they obviously have some deeply rooted issues!!!!!
ReplyDelete-Brittney Payne
Obviously women are not "asking" for sex when they wear seductive clothing... That is simply an excuse from men who have commited a form of date rape. Us men should know that it means that women only want to be seen as beautiful and they are. What us men should be doing if we see our dates dressing this way is simply telling or showing her in a simple way that she is in fact beautiful. I believe there is void in many women's lives of real love from men. The ball is in our court with this topic guys.
ReplyDelete-Derek Alward
I agree with the other posts. The manner of dress can't be considered approval to have sex. Neither can 'making out'. Making out is only giving your approval for that act and nothing more. At any time any party to a sexual activity has the right to say no or stop. This right can't be waived. I do think a big challenge is alcohol and drugs. People alter their mental states and then get into situations that comprimise their safety. The consumption of alcohol/drugs doesn't give up our right to say no. Basically a gentlemen should never have sex with a partner if that partner isn't really in a physical/mental position to give consent.
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