Society's Twisted View of A Woman's Body by Benedictine Blogger Karly

We have a very fast moving society in America. It is really easy for us to just go through the motions without any emotions on a day-to-day basis. People pass judgments all the time, so it is not that surprising that a big part of our culture is sex selling and women are at the core of it. In a way it may seem easier to the aggressor whom victimizes women because if she does not see herself as nothing more than an object then why should it matter what happens to her? However, a woman being viewed this way is not all society’s fault. Some girls regrettably make the name for the rest of us.

Yes sex does sell,  but if it was not for some of the girls that take their sexy image a little bit too far with risky clothing and promiscuous behavior, things might be a little better for the view of women.

It is depressing that some women do not even care if they are called objects because with the image that society has given women, they feel like “well maybe it is okay to feel worthless because people already view me that way.”

Many girls do not have any respect for their own body. The main blame goes on society and what it has done to the female population. But it cannot take all the blame. Girls need to stand up for themselves and speak up when they feel like they are being treated like trash. We need to stop society’s negative views of women and change them to look at women and think words like, power, leadership, feminism, strength, and respect.

The key is for us as women to better ourselves and for others to see that females are not just a sex object. Girls are not just something that can be easily thrown around. Some people will never fully change, but let’s give them a reason to stop and think; women are more than just a body.

Rape Prevention by blogger Shaleen

It is common knowledge that many traditional families instill the thought that men should “protect” women but when it comes to stopping or acknowledging a possible sexual assault, many question themselves. We see all the time in movies that when men see an assault, he stutters or questions himself and how he would be viewed. Many colleges are stopping the victim from speaking out of even pressing charges. The lack of prevention is outstanding because educated human beings should know that it is not a woman’s fault, ever.

Women are taught to not get raped instead of men getting taught not to rape. It’s a simple enough concept but then again, it happens. Zerlina Maxwell from Ebony.com, wrote an article called, “5 Ways We Can Teach Men Not to Rape.” I understand where articles like the get their theme of the article but that thought should be instilled in everyone from birth. It should not have to be taught.

Every man and woman are responsible for their actions, including not stopping someone be raped. Education equals prevention. There are many men who are feminists from Jimmy Carter to Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Where these men consider themselves a feminist or the media spanned their words, I’ll never know. All that aside, feminism is the radical notion that all women are human beings.

The epidemic of Rape culture - by blogger Snehal

What is Rape culture? There is no single generic definition of Rape culture as it incorporates all acts, images, laws, prevalent attitudes, jokes, norms, words etc that considers sexual coercion and violence against women to be normal; thus making rape an inevitable act. Rape culture is a social evil often misconstrued to be a mere nonexistent term, unacceptable in the social arena. The fact is Rape culture is an offspring of the social mindset that nourishes misogyny, violent masculinity and inequality among the sexes, hence making it a no big deal situation. Objectification of women is so deep rooted in the world outside that stigmatizing overpowers humanity and rape survivors have to face the socio-political, socio – cultural wrath.

The tendency to blame the rape victims is backed by the thought process and decisive beliefs of the fault finding observers. It is assumed that the victim has done something concrete to attract the assault. If stigmatization is so important then stigmatize the rapist for his wrong .When social pressures are asserted to victimize the rape survivors, they end up building a prison full of faults in their minds. Such an internal suffocation injures the victim gravely in comparison to the physical one.  The perpetrators are not solely responsible for creation of this rape culture; it is also the society who should take equal responsibility for letting this rape culture affirm its roots. So let us all pledge today to uproot this rape culture and destroy it forever.

Here is how we can put an end to the rape culture:

1.       Co-relating rape to the attire of the victim is not appropriate. Women wearing long, full, decent dresses have also been raped.

2.       Teaching boys and girls to respect each other. As a parent or a teacher it is our duty to imbibe the qualities of compassion, empathy and kindness in your children/ students. This will mould them to be good human beings.

3.       Men should also step forward to condemn rape and rape culture. Likewise, it is better to teach boys not to rape girls than teaching girls not to get raped.

4.       Rape is not inevitable. Never consider it to be one. It is a serious issue that needs to be addressed properly. It is important to penalize the perpetrators of rape.

5.       Stop blaming the victims for rapes. It’s not their fault. Never be a dumb bystander witnessing sexual assault. Try fighting it out.

As a feminist, I feel rape culture is the result of ignorance and illiteracy concerning rape. Friends, it’s time that we work together to spread awareness and eradicate this epidemic that not only disgraces women but also wounds their souls.