There are many questions concerning what date rape actually is. One criminal justice book states “date rape is unlawful forced sexual intercourse with a female against her will which occurs within the context of a dating relationship” ( Schmalleger 735).
There are many other meanings that could define date rape, however this is from a legalistic point of view. Date rape occurs on almost every campus large or small, private or public, rural or urban. There are many elements that attribute to the causes of date rape: drugs and alcohol, miscommunication, and changing sexual mores. Date rape often occurs with people that the victim knows and who would “supposedly” be their friends. This usually happens when the woman is alone with the man. It can occur when others are relatively close by such as outside a house, or downstairs in a house. The mix of drugs and alcohol are significant factors of date rape. They compromise your ability to make responsible decisions. Drinking has become a popular social activity amongst college students and has been seen throughout society as setting the mood for romance. After a few drinks a woman?s judgment is altered, and it is often difficult to push away sexual advances. Women can say that they drank too much or did too many drugs to know what exactly was happening. Many people will say that when alcohol is in their system, it disables your vision, allowing other people to become more appealing to the eye.
This could be one of the reasons why date rape often occurs on college campuses at fraternity houses or bars. Between a woman?s lowered inhibitions and delayed reactions and a man?s raised confidence, it is often difficult to resist some sexual advances. Sometimes a woman will pass out and wake up with a man having sex on top of her. The woman would not even know that she was being raped if she hadn?t woken up. This also wouldn?t happen if she weren?t under the influence of alcohol or any other drug. Rohypnol (roofies) is referred to as the “date rape drug.” This drug is a sedative, meaning that it makes the person drowsy. Rohypnol is much stronger than any other sedative, making it illegal to prescribe or use in the United States. Looking like an aspirin, Rohypnol can easily be placed into a woman?s drink. The woman would not even know whether it was in her drink because it dissolves, and it is odorless and tasteless. The drug knocks you out so you have no idea what is happening, nor do you remember what had happened. Often Rohypnol is used in date rape because the woman wouldn?t even know that she was being raped, nor would she have denied sex. Alcohol and drugs play an important role in date rape, so a woman should be cautious when drinking and to whom and where her drinks are being placed. Miscommunication is another important cause of date rape. The woman may act friendly, and the man would interpret that as an invitation to have sex. “No” can be heard as “maybe” and even a consistent and strong protest can be ignored, under the delusion that “no” can actually mean “yes.” “For if the girl did not physically resist, then sex did indeed take place by clear and mutual consent” (Rothbard 271).
The Term Paper on Rape Acquaintance Women Men
... between acquaintance rape and drug and alcohol use. Seventy-five percent of the men and 55% of women involved in acquaintance rape had ... of a still hidden type of rape, popularly called date rape, that involved men and women who knew each other. Preliminary research ... been intoxicated just before the attack. Although it is possible to drink alcohol without ...
If communication about sexual intentions were clear and firm, it would be easier for the man to accept a woman?s decision. “Advances by males, in almost any form, that do not receive clear and explicit consent are deemed coercive or assaultive” (Gilbert 278).
Acting in manners of flirtation and strong sexual signals, this often gives off the message of wanting sex, being assertive and cautious would help the miscommunication. Some men find it sexually exciting and kinky for a woman to struggle. If a woman?s protest isn?t very strong, a man may think that he is persuading her into having sex. The man will believe that the woman?s struggle is just an act of foreplay, urging sex to happen. Men have been taught early in their lives to turn no or maybe into a yes. Sometimes a woman isn?t sure if she wants to have sex. She doesn?t necessarily want to go along with it because of the stereotype of being “loose.” She could go along with sex, never having consented to it, but not denying it either. If she then proceeds and during decides not to go through with it, the man could become angry and hostile. Then the man would force the female into sex, and he would then be raping her. The miscommunication between males and females about sex should be clear so that there is not question of whether the man raped the woman or not. Changing traditional mores of males and females in today?s society also play a large role in the cause of date rape.
The Essay on Date Rape Woman Man Women
... not willing to have sex. Men who are sexually frustrated often attempt to rape women they know because they cannot get sexual contentment any other ... happens, and may want sexual gratification anyway. The result can be rape. If only the woman is drunk, the man may see this as ... with him that it is an invitation to have sex. If the female seems to be enjoying kissing or fooling around with ...
Men are taught to be aggressors, from the sports that they play to their sexual feelings. This belief which encourages these actions often leads males to believe that they can have sex when they want it. Women on the other hand are taught to be lady like, and be passive. Women are often discouraged from having sexual feelings and experimenting with them. In today?s society if a woman is to experiment with her sexual desires she is often called a slut, whore, or tramp. This double standard allows men to act on their sexual feelings, but a woman can only do this if it involves some emotional aspect. In the last few decades there has been a loosening of sexual standards. The birth control pill and condoms have made many people engage in sex at a much earlier age, thinking they will not get pregnant or get a sexually transmitted disease. Many college men think sex is a given after dating a female a few times. Sometimes women may share the same expectation, but then again she may not. “Many men need to educate themselves about what is permissible in various situations” (Celis 267).
Some men believe that women that are already sexually active are willing to have sex with them. Then the man will try and when the female says “no,” the man will persist anyway. Traditions of sex and the male asserting dominance are changing, and females are becoming more informed and educated on the subject of date rape.
The Essay on Communication Between Men And Women 2
There is a large problem when it comes to communication between men and women, whether it is between children, teenagers, or adults; because of a cross gender society. Once both sides understand this "cross-culture communication" problem, so that no gender is blamed, improvement will naturally occur. Deborah Tannen, is an award winning writer and a best selling author for her eccentric essays ...
Date rape is often an attempt to assert power, and feel superior to the female. Date rape has many elements at play roles in it including alcohol and drugs, miscommunication, and changing sexual mores.
