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Rape And The Effect It Has On Victims
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The mere thought of “rape” will yield a reasonable reaction from a majority of individuals. With expressions like: how could they? or, what a monster! and countless similar assertions. We often envision a bizarre scene with an unknown intruder on a dark blissful evening, jumping out of an open window and assaulting an unsuspected victim. However, that is not necessarily the case with rape victims. Oftentimes, it is those persons a survivor is familiar with and considers their friends or family that carry out these deplorable acts. In the fairy inspired Maleficent, the 1959 adaptation of the Sleeping Beauty. The scene of Maleficent’s wings being severed by an old friend while unconscious is an analogy for rape. Alluding the sentiments many …show more content…
What was meant as retaliation, in the form of a curse by Maleficent unto Aurora, oddly became the remedy for Maleficent’s redemption. Maleficent developed an affection for Aurora and protected her from danger; although the three pixies sought to care for Aurora they were incapable of such a weighty responsibility. Maleficent carefully watched over Aurora’s childhood innocence. Ironically, reminiscent of Maleficent’s early child hood and adult years. In an effort to save Aurora, Maleficent sought the help of a true love’s kiss, the only way the curse could be reversed. Ultimately, it is Maleficent’s kiss on Aurora’s forehead that spares them both; Maleficent’s protective maternal love for Aurora was sufficient to break the curse. Maleficent, reclaimed her wings, but, much more than the physical she also regained her freedom, trust of others and the cheerful vibrant personality she once had. Comparatively, a survivor of a rape undergoes the same healing process. Recovering in various manners, sometimes even befriending someone that reminds them of who they used to be; prompts the healing process phase. Recuperating from sexual assault is a progressive and continuous process. The survivor will recapture again the feeling of control over their life, despite the disgraceful exploit. As claimed by rape survivor Lillian M.
Susan Brownmiller’s excerpt Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape written in 1975 explores rape. It argues that from the beginning of time men had an advantage over women because their genitalia can serve as a weapon, which, in turn, generates constant fear. “Rape provides a sufficient threat to keep all women in a constant state of intimidation, forever conscious of the knowledge that the biological tool must be held in awe for it may turn to weapon with sudden swiftness borne of harmful intent”(Brownmiller, 312). Females are subjected to the harsh reality of rape at a young age through fairytales such as Little Red Riding Hood. Stories like these emphasize how weak women are and how heroic, brave and strong men are. Susan Brownmiller believes that the way to destroy the idea that “you can’t thread a moving needle,” and “no women can be raped against her will” by spreading awareness about rape and how it is a moral wrongdoing and punishable under the
One of the most horrible things that has erupted from the subjugation of women is rape culture. Rape culture is the downplaying of the crime of rape to appease the violator, the accusation that the victim made a choice that led to their rape, or even jokes that suggest rape. According to Jessica Valenti’s, “In Rape Tragedies, the Shame Is Ours,” in today's world many people give in to rape culture by participating in these acts that somehow change our mindsets into believing that, “it is more shameful to be raped than to be a rapist”. Once ...
Cross-cultural research has shown that rape is most common in cultures that are dominated by males and violence. This means cultures in which males dominate the political decisions and cultures adhering to the male ideology of toughness, interpersonal violence and war (Groth 7). In a culture of people with more traditional or sexist gender role, attitudes are more tolerant of rape than are people with more nontraditional attitudes. Traditional men are more likely to report that they would commit rape if they knew they would not be caught; some researchers have found that a traditional man is much more likely to commit a rape than a nontraditional man is. Many attitudes in our culture perpetuate rape, for example: A husband is entitled to have sex with his wife," "A 'real man' never passes up a chance to have sex," and, "A women who 'leads a man on' deserves what she gets (Growth 7). “ Some media depictions may promote rape. Many movies make violence appear attractive and some movies convey myths about rape. Such as slasher films that make violence seem exciting, or movies suggesting that women like to be forced to have sex or that women's only value...
She feels she needs to get revenge on Stefan for leaving her alone. So she could be thought out as an evil villain, but there is more. She heard about King Stefan’s new baby from her “wings”, also being a crow she saved from a farmer killing. Maleficent thought this was the right time to seek her revenge, so she went to the palace and placed a curse on baby princess Aurora, “The princess will indeed grow in grace and beauty, and beloved by all who meet her. But before the sunsets on her sixteenth birthday she will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a sleep almost like death, a sleep from which she will never awaken...etc The princess can be awoken from her death sleep, but only by true love’s kiss…” Maleficent realizes that true love’s kiss doesn’t exist so she planned it all out as a mischievous proposal… or so she thought.
It is not a topic that is brought up often, especially at schools or at gatherings, yet it is crucial that everyone be educated, or at least informed on a topic that affects women every day. “Given that sexual violence continues to occur at high rates in the United States, it is vital that we understand attitudes and cultural norms that serve to minimize or foster tolerance of sexual violence” (Aosved, 481). Growing rates of sexual violence goes to prove that it is not taken seriously by many, especially when myths excuse the actions of the perpetrator and instead guilt victims into thinking they are responsible for the horrible act. Burt (1980), in her article titled, “Cultural myths and support for rape” attempts to make sense of the importance of stereotypes and myths, defined as prejudicial, stereotypes, or false beliefs about rape, rape victims and rapists- in creating a climate hostile to rape victims (Burt, 217). Examples of rape myths are such sayings as “only bad girls get raped”; “women ask for it”; “women cry rape” (Burt, 217). This only goes to prove that rape myths against women always blame and make it seem like it is the women’s fault she was raped and that she deserved it for “acting” a certain way. McMahon (2007), in her article titled, “Understanding community-specific rape myths” explains how Lonsway and Fitzgerald (1994) later described rape myths as “attitudes and beliefs that are generally
Many of the attitudes, beliefs, and mistaken ideas about rape have been with us for centuries. By looking at myths, such as “women ask for it,” and “it would do some women good to get raped,” from a historical perspective, lead us for better understanding how they evolved. Women are still seen as the property of men, are protected as such. Men and women are still taught to occupy very different roles in today’s world. Men are usually more aggressive, and women are seen as passive. (Vogelman) This socialization process is changing, but slowly.
According to Marshall University, Rape Culture is defined as “an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in media and popular culture.” In American society, it is not hard to find examples of rape culture. In popular movies, music, and current events there is an undeniable notion of victim blaming, and sympathizing with male perpetrators. People have begun to use the term rape as a casual adjective. For example “I just raped him in that game,” could be used to describe two people playing a game and one winning easily against the other. American society uses pop culture and current events to promote and justify the prominent rape culture.
Over centuries, fairy tales were passed down by word of mouth to portray a story with a hidden meaning. As these fairy tales were passed on they traveled to different destinations and were modified to conform to other cultures. One example of this is the story of Grapnel. Most people are familiar with the Brothers Grimm version of Rapunzel; however, an earlier variant that comes from Italy was the forerunner to the Grimm version. The Italian version, Petrosinella, written by Giambattista Basile, is an example of how culture has an influence on literature. Although this is the case, both fairy tale versions portray jungian archetypes that are often misinterpreted by mainstream portrayals of these fairy tales.
Children and women are the two family members most often abused sexually. Children are naïve, and treacherous adults recognize a child’s vulnerability. They use this to their advantage by sexually assaulting them. Usually in the form of molestation, parents trick their children into doing insidious sexual acts with them. However, women are raped more often than children. Rape is typically viewed as something that could only happen in a dark alley or drunken party, and the rapist is usually a stranger. However, the rapist could be the patriarch of the family. Many women do not even know that they have been raped because they are not aware of what constitutes rape. Any sexual act that is unwanted is considered rape, and men who force themselves on their wives or girlfriends are rapists. This form of abuse is the extremely damaging to the family unit.
In more recent years, however, things have begun to change. In the 1970s, the feminist movement began to draw attention to the plight of women who had been raped (Karmen, 2010). With the discovery of the victim’s plight, laws began to be put into place to help convict the offender and defend the victim. Today, rape is still a crime punished by death in some countries, and it is even scorned by other inmates within the walls of a prison (Macdonald, 1975).
Many of the attitudes, beliefs, and mistaken ideas about rape have been with us for centuries. By looking at myths, such as “women ask for it,” and “women secretly enjoy rape,” from a historical perspective, can lead us for better understanding how they evolved. Much stems back to the idea that women are still seen as the property of men, and are protected as such. Men and women are still taught to occupy very different roles in today’s world. Men a...
The classic tale of Cinderella is well known for the fight of overcoming great obstacles despite great odds. However, there are always a few ill-hearted people who go out of their way to cease any competition that they might face, as seen with Cinderella’s step-sisters. Samuel Jackson says is his distinguished quote, “The hunger of imagination…lures us to…the phantoms of hope,” to help develop a more defined view of a fairytale. The story of Cinderella fully embodies the ideals of a true fairytale by encompassing magic, hope, and struggle between good and evil throughout the duration of the plot.
The concept behind the word, action and idea of rape is a scary thought. Rape is defined as a type of sexual assault, usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person’s consent (Kelland, 2011). Rape is a demoralizing crime that can leave the victim with lasting negative psychological affects. This paper will discuss the different types of rape, the cause and effects with rape and the harm rape can cause to its victims.
As a result of the varying circumstances that helped evolve the story the popularity of the sleeping Beauty soared causing it to become a worldwide phenomenon. As opposed to its relative obscurity of the earlier versions one has to ask if the story didn't change would we even have the story today?
It is not uncommon in this day and age to hear someone say, “Well if she wasn’t dressed like that,” or “she was drunk and asking for it,” when you hear the unfortunate story of another girl being the victim of sexual assault or rape. It is likewise as common for these crimes to go unreported, due to the victims feeling they will not be believed, or become subject to further shame and humiliation. This is because of the idea of “rape culture,” a term coined in the 1970’s during the second wave of feminism. It suggests that the reason that these actions and concepts are so commonplace is because they are things ingrained into our collective psyches from a very early age. As a victim and survivor myself, I believe that this needs to change. The only way it will, however, is if we as a country take a stand now and put a stop to what perpetuates it further.