Many of the readings indicate that rape is more of a culture than an occurrence. This culture is propelled by the existing battle of the sexes whereby masculinity power is determined by their dominance over women. This theory asserts that westernization or the empowerment of the women is one of the key causes in the increases in the surge in rape cases. With women getting more power in society, either the men are slowly reducing their masculine power, and using violence, using guns or through rape, men exert their dominance over women. Whereas the research indicates that women are just as likely to result in crime as men are, it is evident that the latter are more likely to use direct aggression as a weapon whereas the former use indirect aggression in most cases.
This theory might seem a little biased, but the evidence given to support this hypothesis is outstandingly accurate. For instance, one of the reasons that the lecturer indicated that the rape culture is also supported by the system is using mild words to cover rape cases for excelling students and athletes. For instance, a term that is widely used in this field is “non-consensual sex” which is a mild form of describing rape. However, the levels of testosterone levels, although previously assumed to cause rape, have been discovered to have minimal effects on one’s ability to rape another woman or not. Rape is often motivated by other underlying factors, which include power play, and the fact that drunken women might seduce men, only to change their minds later, leaving the men turned on.
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This theory has also argued that most women end up traumatized by acts of rape, despite the culture’s ability to downplay the rape role. The various rape victims that have been evaluated indicate that most of their offenders were people whom they did not have any sexual interest in, but also some who they had interacted with before. Similarly, most of the male offenders argued that they only did so to exert their dominance as men over the women. This pattern indicates a difference in the changes in societal roles is seen as the key reason why males are using violence to overcompensate for the lost masculinity. This concept made me find it very interesting. However, rape is a complex issue that needs a lot of intervention
From a philosophical point of view, pro-life legislation would be the violation of the rights of the rape and incest victims. However, from a moral standpoint, the law is justified. A recent study indicates that close 75% of rape and incest victims choose to give birth, and those who pursue abortion tend to have long-term regrets (Mason, 2002). However, placing oneself in a rape victim’s shoes poses the question of how one would feel if they wanted to pursue an abortion, but were restricted by law. The law is aimed at protecting the unborn children, whether rape or incest victims or children born out of love. The main argument is presenting the rape victims with the necessary counseling and ensuring that the rapists is sentenced by a court of law and justifiably punished.
However, a critical issue associated with rape victims is the recurrent stress and depression resulting from bearing a child sired through rape. Raising a child, who will always remind the victims of a traumatic experience, would seriously compromise their parenting. As such, besides trauma-related depression and stress, another critical impact of pro-life legislation are long-term traumatic experiences for the mothers and poor parenting as well. Poor parenting also affects the wellbeing of the child (Buncombe, 2016). However, this is not a permanent outcome and is a general myth assumed by many. Some of the rape victims can overcome the trauma and turn out to be the best of parents. A majority of such mothers, however, experience long-term trauma due to pro-life legislation.
Pro-life legislation also has some positive attributes to the rape victims. In the beginning stages of pregnancy of a rape victim, the stress associated with the incident could have some detrimental outcomes on the victim, but soon, the individual can find happiness and move forward. If a victim pursues abortion, they face the possibility of recurrent birth complications, stress associated with abortion due to the termination of life, among other such outcomes (Bevacqua, 2000). As such, pro-life legislation places a victim in a position of short-term depression, whereas abortion could result in long-term depression and regret.
Pro-life policies are in a way beneficial to rape victims. Pro-life legislation from a moral standpoint is by all means justified. However, from a philosophical perspective, the law may seem oppressive. Personal freedom and happiness are an individual’s choice and not the state’s. However, in the case of abortion, another life is at stake, and the state has all the rights to protect this life. Abortion is a very sensitive issue, and taking sides is inconsiderate of the other party. As such, pro-life legislation for rape victims has both positive and negative impacts as discussed throughout the paper. The rape and incest victims, although justified to pursue abortion, need counseling and direction as opposed to being allowed or pushed into pursuing abortion. If pro-life legislation proposes other alternatives such as counseling and therapy, it should be enforced.
References
Mason, C. (2002). Killing for life: The apocalyptic narrative of pro-life politics. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
Bevacqua, M. (2000). Rape on the public agenda: Feminism and the politics of sexual assualt. Boston: Northeastern University Press.
Buncombe, A. (2016). Stanford rape case: Read the impact statement of Brock Turner's victim. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/stanford-rape-case-read-the-impact-statement-of-brock-turners-victim-a7222371.html
