This blog has taken me a little while to get done because it took me a while to decide which side I really agree with. I would love to argue against Morgan and tear her apart; however, I will try my best to agree with her (against all my will).
In modern times most would believe in the mirage of a free and completely equal society. However, just as African Americans had once been oppressed into slavery, today, women are constantly reminded they are not viewed as equals. This reminder, according to Morgan, is rape and it’s being fuel by pornography in public places and in the bedroom. Rape is the tool in which men attempt to distinguish and maintain their power position in a culture founded upon patriarchal views.
Morgan argues that rape is more than the brutally forced intercourse that occurs in a dark alley or upon breaking and entering a woman’s home. Rape is any intercourse that is not initiated or desired by the woman. By accepting this definition, rape becomes a crime committed nightly in happily married households. Although this definition of rape is a bit farfetched, it does hold some truth.
The average American, I believe, views rape solely as the times when women are brutally forced to have sex by use of a gun or knife. They feel these men are the worst deviants of society who need to be locked away. But how does the average American feel about the 33 year old mother of two who worked all day, cleaned the house and made dinner and is just too tired to want to have sex? In the bedroom, her husband who hasn’t had any in three weeks wants to have sex, so he climbs on top until she allows him to. To most, this is perfectly acceptable. The culture of this country is dominated by patriarchal thought which would suggest the wife of a man is supposed to please him and adhere to his needs. But wasn’t she forced to have sex? Yes. Against her will and intentions? Yes. Didn’t she not initiate? Yes.
Most of America is in denial about rape often being subjective when discussing it. The tendency is to look at individuals and in many cases the rape will be rationalized. Morgan suggests a few different “excuses” often credited to rape. “Pity the Poor Rapist,” “Spontaneity Lie,” and basics such as, “She had it coming,” and “All Women Want to Be Raped.” These “excuses” for rape are example of how men maintain their power position over women in society, subjecting them to “know their role.”
So where does porn come into the equation? In a sense, the pornography business fulfills the male fantasy – power, domination and aggressive sex, much as rape does. In creating the multi-billion dollar porn industry, men are able to extort their power and dominance upon actresses while forcing them to do perform a sexual fantasy. Willing or not to perform, the actress is still subject to the director’s (a male, for the purpose of this essay) commands. Is she forced to have sex? Maybe. Is this against her will and intentions? Maybe. Did she initiate? Most likely, no.
What I’m trying to show here is that the actions of the porn industry subject women to an act of rape. Granted, some actresses choose the life for the great pay and chance to be a star. But inside the business there is not much choice to be had. Films are created with a purpose to fulfill the male fantasy, remember? Power, dominance and aggressive sex. Actresses will be told who to have sex with, how, where, when. They do not initiate with their own intentions and by our definition, this is rape.
The view of rape in America is very skewed and under examined. Women, as much as men, have human rights that must be adhered to. Any act of forcing sex in which a woman does not initiate or have intentions to have sex is rape. Daily, women are reminded of their struggles for equality in society by rape, the tool of man that distinguishes and maintains their power ranking and encompassing the ultimate male fantasy – power, domination and aggressive sex.
February 18, 2009 at 2:46 am
Do most men really want dominating, aggressive sex? I have terrible luck finding them, unfortunately.