"If a man is drunk when he commits a rape, he is considered less responsible. If a woman is drunk (or has had a drink or two or simply met the man in a bar), she is considered more responsible."
(Kilbourne, Jean. “Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt: Advertising and Violence.” Rereading America. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2004. 455-75.)
This quote truly upset me when I came across it. This wasn’t the first time I heard this. It truly outrages me that men are considered off the hook just because he was under the influence. What gives men the right to get off easy but women do not have that same privilege? Why do women get the blame just because they had maybe one drink? Women do not ask to be raped. Men are the ones who commit the crime; therefore, they should hold full responsibility for it. Alcohol does not give them a free “get out of jail” card. Women are the victims in this situation. In today’s society, having this mentality or this way of thinking is how men get off easy. So many women are victims of rape and have to live with that for the rest of their lives. There is an irreparable damage done onto them. Some will have intimacy issues for the rest of their lives and trouble with committing and just an overall fear of being with a man again. This also goes along with the other idea that men can be with as many women as they want and be considered popular or a player and looked up to, whereas women who have been with a multitude of partners are considered whores or sluts.
I really agree with what you're saying. For some reason society has come to believe that it is okay for men to not have self control, but if women ever slip up in the slightest they are horrible people. I think this is why so many women do not come forward after being raped or sexually assaulted. The double standard that society has set for men and women are extremely dangerous for women.
ReplyDeleteIt also outrages me when I see a man being let off the hook for rape simply because the girl had a little alcohol in her system. Regardless of the drinks, a girl normally makes it pretty clear if she wants to have sexual relations or not. However, I also believe there is a little bit of a double standard here. In some cases I believe men are wrongfully blamed for rape simply because they are the more dominant sex. I have seen plenty of girls throw themselves at men and then later regret their decision and call it rape, so that they wont be considered "easy". It is a very very horrible thing regardless of who's to blame. No one should ever have to feel like they did something against their will. However, I do believe advertisements that promote aggressive/dominant behavior from men play a strong part in the amount of rape's that occur in our society on a daily basis.
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