"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.
