Rape Culture in the Media

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Recommended: Sociological imagination related to rape culture

“Rape Culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture” (1a) Today you can't turn the television on without hearing references to rape culture. Jokes about sexual abuse plague every sitcom and news channels question rape victim’s every move. Even entire shows are dedicated to the topic such as Law and Order SVU. The media trivializes rape leading to a rape culture in America. Despite rape culture being clearly relevant in most all forms of media, many people choose to argue against it. Many point to the fact that even if rape is a common crime it is still considered especially heinous. Others complain that rape culture is too much about the female agenda when rape is more about men. Dr. Tara J. Palmatier says, “Meanwhile, no one ever discusses adult male rape victims who, believe it or not, do exist and in far greater numbers than female rape victims.” She also claims that “The reality is that more men are raped every year in jail than women in the general population.”(2a) Dr. Tara believes that men should be in more fear of women than the other way around. According the the Munoz-Rivas, more women engage in psychological aggression and Parity states that women’s use of physical aggression is equal to that of men (2a). Because of the points put forth by Dr. Tara J. Palmatier, many people are under the impression that rape culture doesn't exist in the slightest. Rape can be seen anywhere in our culture. Not only in media, such as television or social networks, but in everyday conversation. The phrase, “That test raped me” gets thrown around at the drop of a hat (4a). Countless internet memes are made at the expense of women s... ... middle of paper ... ...nd make rape the victim’s fault. The media should not continue to travel down this road. If it does, the media’s trivialization of rape will turn rape into even more of an epidemic then it already is. Works Cited Crampton, Caroline. "Why Crime Dramas Are Hooked On Rape." New Statesman (2014): 19. Galenet. Web. 13 Feb 2014. Kacmarek, Julia, and Elizabeth Geffre. “Rape Culture Is: Know It When You See It.” Huffington Post. N.p., 1 Jun 2013. Web. 5 Feb 2014. Najumi, Mohadesa. “We Live in a Rape Culture.” The Feminist Wire. N.p., 9 June 2013. Web. 5 Feb Palmatier, Tara. “Our so called “Rape Culture”.” A Voice for Men. N.p., 29 Oct 2013. Web. 5 Feb Plank, Elizabeth. "Rape Culture is Everywhere - Watch Your Favorite Sitcoms Prove it." PolicyMic. Mic Network, 16 Jan 2014. Web. 17 Feb 2014. “Rape Culture.” Marshall University. Marshall University. Web. 30 Jan 2014.

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