It's only been in the past month that I read the term rape culture. Since that time, I have started to see more references to it on social networking sites and in the media. After the recent attack on the sorority, references to rape culture have skyrocketed.
Initially, I was put off by the term. It feels like an accusation, and I am easily put on the defensive. After some introspection, however, I believe that the idea of our current society having a rape culture is not so much an attack, but an attempt to inform. Much of our media, our fashion, our economics, our laws, and our way of life supports this rape culture. Outwardly, we are told that rape is bad, yet there are numerous indicators that men's sexual conquest of women is an ideal.
Without even touching on the hardly hidden easy access to pornography on which the Internet was constructed, it is easy to see the ideas behind our rape culture in much of our music, in our movies and TV shows, and in our books and magazines. But it is also in our laws: possession of illegal drugs has mandatory minimum sentences longer than most rape sentences. It is part of our economics: you've heard the term sex sells, now watch for adds that add sexuality to some of the most innocuous of products. It's become our way of life: most people have a concept of what the third date entails; some sort of sex is expected for the time and money spent.
The problem I have with the notion of rape culture is that it ignores the underlying problem: we have confused sex for love. We have not dealt with the powerful needs that drive sexual thoughts and lusts. We have not shown young men and women ways to divert that energy in productive ways that helps them become more than simple slaves to their sexual nature. In fact, we often give them the wrong advice: to pursue their desires no matter the cost.
Are there shows or songs about self-restraint? About fighting the urges and channeling that energy for good purposes? About learning the truth about love?
Noting that there is a rape culture prevalent in our society is a step in the right direction, but only if it works towards fixing our culture rather than just laying blame.
Initially, I was put off by the term. It feels like an accusation, and I am easily put on the defensive. After some introspection, however, I believe that the idea of our current society having a rape culture is not so much an attack, but an attempt to inform. Much of our media, our fashion, our economics, our laws, and our way of life supports this rape culture. Outwardly, we are told that rape is bad, yet there are numerous indicators that men's sexual conquest of women is an ideal.
Without even touching on the hardly hidden easy access to pornography on which the Internet was constructed, it is easy to see the ideas behind our rape culture in much of our music, in our movies and TV shows, and in our books and magazines. But it is also in our laws: possession of illegal drugs has mandatory minimum sentences longer than most rape sentences. It is part of our economics: you've heard the term sex sells, now watch for adds that add sexuality to some of the most innocuous of products. It's become our way of life: most people have a concept of what the third date entails; some sort of sex is expected for the time and money spent.
The problem I have with the notion of rape culture is that it ignores the underlying problem: we have confused sex for love. We have not dealt with the powerful needs that drive sexual thoughts and lusts. We have not shown young men and women ways to divert that energy in productive ways that helps them become more than simple slaves to their sexual nature. In fact, we often give them the wrong advice: to pursue their desires no matter the cost.
Are there shows or songs about self-restraint? About fighting the urges and channeling that energy for good purposes? About learning the truth about love?
Noting that there is a rape culture prevalent in our society is a step in the right direction, but only if it works towards fixing our culture rather than just laying blame.
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