Date Rape Since evolution, men, being the opposites of women, are genetically wired to feel a sexual urge towards women. Many species today have the ultimate goal to reproduce and it is a goal that they cannot control once given the urges. For example, "Attraction is not a choice" (DeAngelo, 2003). Date Rape can be a very controversial topic. The definition of date rape is “rape committed by the victim’s date” (Webster 2008). I feel that the victim, generally a women, plays the largest role in date rape. Men can simply not suppress these attractions, yet women, many times; act interested and will flirt with the male. "Aggression and eroticism are deeply intertwined. Hunt, pursuit and capture are biologically programmed into male sexuality" Paglia (1991 page?). Especially if drugs and alcohol are involved, such as in night clubs and dance bars, women can become especially susceptible. A women should be able to feel the energy between her and a man, know the incredible urges a man can have, and then act responsibly and accordingly. I feel that the women in most cases are to blame because of the mixed signals they can give to a man. Many people in today’s society would blame the aggressor and not the victim. But, I feel, that if a women led a man into thinking this is what she wanted she is in fact, at fault. I feel that letting herself get into that situation and not saying anything or making any move against stopping the man puts her at fault as well. Many women love to play games with men’s minds as well. For example, "I know that most women go out on weekends with the mindset of 'I'm never going to meet Mr. Right at a club, but it boosts my ego to have men paying attention to me by the dozens, and I like to have free drinks... and I love to dance with my girlfriends and be a tease... and I love the power of shooting men down while pretending to be annoyed by it.'" (Deangelo, 2002, p. 67). This mindset adapted by women can play a huge role in women thinking they are a subject of rape. Women should not lead a man on unless they intend to follow through. Others feel strongly that date rape is the man’s fault. In Common Decency, Jacoby states "rapes occur because…men…can't stand to take 'no' for an answer" (Jacoby 1991 page?). I feel that this view is a bit ignorant. Women go out wearing small outfits, drink to excess, and dance and flirt with many men over a course of a night. Sex, or in this case rape, does not just happen. There are many steps that a women and man must go through before actually having sexual intercourse. I feel it is a women’s job to let a man know through words or actions when she has had enough. Men are smart enough to know when a girl means “no” and I feel that it is the women’s job to let the man know ‘no” or that she doesn’t feel comfortable in that situation. Date rape is subject of DNA embedded into minds of men to pursue sex, as well as a women’s inability to say enough is enough. I feel that date rape would not even be an issue if women could consistently have the confidence to say “no”. Women need to stop putting out mixed signals to men unless they intend to go all the way. Although date rape cases can vastly vary in who is at fault, I feel that it ultimately falls upon the woman to make the final decision.
Reference List Date rape. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/date rape
Deangelo, D. (2003). Dating quotes. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from: http://thinkexist.com/quotations/dating
Deangelo, D. (2002). Attraction isn't a choice: The psychology of men, women and attraction. San Diego: David Deangelo.
Jacoby, S. (2001). Common decency. In L. G. Kirszner & S. R. Mandell (Eds.), Patterns for college writing a rhetorical reader and guide (pp. 544-546). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Paglia, C. (2001). It's a jungle out there. In L. G. Kirszner & S. R. Mandell (Eds.), Patterns for college writing a rhetorical reader and guide (pp. 538-541). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's. Grade 75/100 |