Just a little quick note on the end of lecture 20 where the statistics were shown that in the period of time where extreme pornography became much more widely available, there was a 3X decrease in the number of rapes reported. Halavais mentioned the fact that, of course, this is only the number REPORTED, which skews the results slightly, but because of the huge decrease, the statistic is still significant.
I think the statistic can be significant in that maybe the reason why the number of reported rapes decreased is because women's definition of rape may have changed because of pornography. When seeing all of these films that have women in such compromising positions, and especially the films where non-consentual sex turns into an enjoyable experience, women may have somewhat changed what they think is really rape or not. Which is a pretty scary thought, but may be true nonetheless. So just as pornography has allowed women to become more sexually liberated and open with their sexuality and feelings, it has also possibly changed their thoughts on what is rape or not.
April 6, 2006 at 11:29 am
Your way of thinking is very inciteful. I never thought of it in terms like that. I do believe that is a possibility. Woman are confused, as are some men, as to what is acceptable and what constitutes as rape. Pornography, does in fact, blur the lines in a way. Most of us can agree violent abuse against woman regarding sex is rape, but what constitutes Date Rape? (especially when it’s with someone you thought you could trust and was someone you thought you “knew”.)
I do think woman do not report such incidents because they are led to believe they brought it on themselves and it is not rape – even if it’s against their will. (Porn leads them to believe that if it didn’t include hitting or punching or forced with a weapon it isn’t rape).
April 6, 2006 at 11:42 am
Thanks! I agree.. the blurring of the line between right and wrong in a woman’s mind can change her way of thinking. I can just imagine the thoughts going through one’s mind while a rape-like situation was happening –> “I’ve seen this in pornos.. don’t a lot of women go through this? Is he trying to turn me on? Maybe this isn’t so wrong…” And stuff like that. Anyway.. thanks for commenting!