What is RAPE?
Rape is defined as an unwanted sexual intercourse, anal sex, oral sex, or other sexual contact through the use of force or the threat of force, without a person's consent. Penetration may be by a body part or any object. Unsuccessful attempts are also included within the classification of rape. Rape may also be called sexual assault.
The Sociological Effects of Rape on Women
Rape can be viewed as another form of oppression against women. From the feminist perspective, people feel that men use rape as a tool to keep women subordinate to men. Laura Kramer defines feminism as, "Feminism is the view that women are oppressed in significant ways and that this oppression should be ended" (Kramer, 2011). Feminism has many different aspects, but in relation to rape, the socialist feminist viewpoint provides the best explanation for a man's attitude towards a woman in society. Kramer states, "The socialist feminist view weighs patriarchy (the social domination by males over females) and capitalism (the economic system of private ownership of production, with the paramount value of maximizing profit) as equally important forces in explaining inequalities in society" (Kramer, 2011). Society followed the patriarchal model for many years. Under patriarchy, women were viewed simply as the property of men and not as individuals in society.
When it came to the issue of rape, men felt that women could not be raped because they are simply subordinates who do not have any rights. Feminists viewed rape as a way for men to assert their power over women in society. Rape was seen as a way to remind women that men were the dominate gender. Rape was viewed as a form of oppression that was used by men to keep women in their place in society. In this sense, society felt that women, not men, were responsible for their rape. The socialist feminist wanted to change the perspective that rape was not a crime against women. Socialist feminists sought to explain the major differences between men and women, to explain the ways in which men exploited women. Rape was seen as another form of oppression. Kramer states, "By examining differences among men (in their access to power and other resources), we are better able to explain the different ways in which men exploit women" (Kramer, 2011).
Women had little to no rights in a patriarchal society that was dominated by men. Feminists wanted to end this rule by men and have women recognized as individuals and not as property of men. The social feminist fought for rights for women of all colors, not just for white women. Kramer states, "The socialist feminist is interested in the economically disadvantaged of both sexes and all races, in people of color for both sexes and all economic positions, and in women of all races and economic positions" (Kramer, 2011). Feminists helped to bring light to the social problem that rape highlighted. Men and women were divided in society, with white men being seen as the most dominate. Feminists fought to have rape recognized as a crime, as a way to alleviate the major differences between men and women.
Reference
Kramer, Laura. (2011). The Sociology of Gender: A Brief Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press
The Sociological Effects of Rape on Women
Rape can be viewed as another form of oppression against women. From the feminist perspective, people feel that men use rape as a tool to keep women subordinate to men. Laura Kramer defines feminism as, "Feminism is the view that women are oppressed in significant ways and that this oppression should be ended" (Kramer, 2011). Feminism has many different aspects, but in relation to rape, the socialist feminist viewpoint provides the best explanation for a man's attitude towards a woman in society. Kramer states, "The socialist feminist view weighs patriarchy (the social domination by males over females) and capitalism (the economic system of private ownership of production, with the paramount value of maximizing profit) as equally important forces in explaining inequalities in society" (Kramer, 2011). Society followed the patriarchal model for many years. Under patriarchy, women were viewed simply as the property of men and not as individuals in society.
When it came to the issue of rape, men felt that women could not be raped because they are simply subordinates who do not have any rights. Feminists viewed rape as a way for men to assert their power over women in society. Rape was seen as a way to remind women that men were the dominate gender. Rape was viewed as a form of oppression that was used by men to keep women in their place in society. In this sense, society felt that women, not men, were responsible for their rape. The socialist feminist wanted to change the perspective that rape was not a crime against women. Socialist feminists sought to explain the major differences between men and women, to explain the ways in which men exploited women. Rape was seen as another form of oppression. Kramer states, "By examining differences among men (in their access to power and other resources), we are better able to explain the different ways in which men exploit women" (Kramer, 2011).
Women had little to no rights in a patriarchal society that was dominated by men. Feminists wanted to end this rule by men and have women recognized as individuals and not as property of men. The social feminist fought for rights for women of all colors, not just for white women. Kramer states, "The socialist feminist is interested in the economically disadvantaged of both sexes and all races, in people of color for both sexes and all economic positions, and in women of all races and economic positions" (Kramer, 2011). Feminists helped to bring light to the social problem that rape highlighted. Men and women were divided in society, with white men being seen as the most dominate. Feminists fought to have rape recognized as a crime, as a way to alleviate the major differences between men and women.
Reference
Kramer, Laura. (2011). The Sociology of Gender: A Brief Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press
