Rape Myths: Submission Preview

The submissions for this assignment are posts in the assignment's discussion. Below are the discussion posts for Kamren Brozovic, or you can view the full discussion.

Kamren Brozovic

I was never aware that there are so many different myths about rape. I think that society has caused these myths to continue because as Matlin mentions, they are tend to blame the women (2012). Women have their own struggles to repair all the emotional damage that is done after being raped. I think that currently it is more often showed in the media that people are raped by strangers, burglars, and criminal deviants. There are many misconceptions that a friend or partner cannot be the one to rape you (Matlin, 2012). It is embarrassing to think that you are raped by your best friend, so it is easier to not report what has happened. Matlin discusses in the first myth that “85% of rapes are committed by acquaintances” (2012).

I think that it is also just as susceptible for women and men to believe the same myths about rape. Men do not want to admit that pornography has an impact on their likelihood to rape someone (Matlin, 2012). If men watch violent porn it increases their risks of acting out with violent behavior and it gives the impression that women are objects instead of human beings. I know many women that also watch pornography and I am not sure how that would affect them and their susceptibility to rape, but I would think if they were aroused by the violence portrayed they might put themselves in riskier positions. Women also tend to believe that women would fake a rape for attention (Matlin, 2012). In my opinion this is comparable to the belief that women would fake a pregnancy to keep a man in their life. While this has happened before, that it rarely the case when I rape case is reported. I see this from a man’s perspective too. It would be easier to believe that the woman is lying or faking a rape, instead of men having to admit that there is a problem with this behavior in our society.

Wow! I am blown away by the Men Against Violence website. I am not sure if this website would work for everyone, but I was brought to tears watching the video about their program “Because We Have Daughters.” I think that all families could benefit from the different activities and openness that this program offers. It gives children a voice and shows that emotions are healthy. With this type of relationship it is easy to talk to your parents when something does not feel right. It also sets an example of how a child deserves to be treated when they become adults. I know that our book focused on women being abused, and specifically heterosexual women, but I know that both men and gays and lesbians also suffer from abuse. I think that programs like these are essential to changing the way society views violence and shows the community that others are willing to make a stand and support the victims of abuse.

Matlin, M. W. (2012). The Psychology of Women. (7^th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

I was never aware that there are so many different myths about rape. I think that society has caused these myths to continue because as Matlin mentions, they are tend to blame the women (2012). Women have their own struggles to repair all the emotional damage that is done after being raped. I think that currently it is more often showed in the media that people are raped by strangers, burglars, and criminal deviants. There are many misconceptions that a friend or partner cannot be the one to rape you (Matlin, 2012). It is embarrassing to think that you are raped by your best friend, so it is easier to not report what has happened. Matlin discusses in the first myth that “85% of rapes are committed by acquaintances” (2012).
            I think that it is also just as susceptible for women and men to believe the same myths about rape. Men do not want to admit that pornography has an impact on their likelihood to rape someone (Matlin, 2012). If men watch violent porn it increases their risks of acting out with violent behavior and it gives the impression that women are objects instead of human beings. I know many women that also watch pornography and I am not sure how that would affect them and their susceptibility to rape, but I would think if they were aroused by the violence portrayed they might put themselves in riskier positions. Women also tend to believe that women would fake a rape for attention (Matlin, 2012). In my opinion this is comparable to the belief that women would fake a pregnancy to keep a man in their life. While this has happened before, that it rarely the case when I rape case is reported. I see this from a man’s perspective too. It would be easier to believe that the woman is lying or faking a rape, instead of men having to admit that there is a problem with this behavior in our society.
            Wow! I am blown away by the Men Against Violence website. I am not sure if this website would work for everyone, but I was brought to tears watching the video about their program “Because We Have Daughters.” I think that all families could benefit from the different activities and openness that this program offers. It gives children a voice and shows that emotions are healthy. With this type of relationship it is easy to talk to your parents when something does not feel right. It also sets an example of how a child deserves to be treated when they become adults. I know that our book focused on women being abused, and specifically heterosexual women, but I know that both men and gays and lesbians also suffer from abuse. I think that programs like these are essential to changing the way society views violence and shows the community that others are willing to make a stand and support the victims of abuse.
 
Matlin, M. W. (2012). The Psychology of Women. (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.