Is rape a product of sexual desire or the exercise of power Essay

Is rape a product of sexual desire or the exercise of power - Essay Example Other theorists take a different perspective, iterating that rape is actually a product of repressed or overt sexual desire occurring in one with the inability to control their impulsive desires. Some researchers even attempt to place motivation on drug and alcohol consumption; however, there is not enough evidence that alcohol and drug dependency maintains predictive characteristics that will influence decisions to perform rapes. Research evidence on the subject tends to point toward rape as being a blend of exertion of power and dominance whilst also being influenced by cultural dynamics and the rule of law. There is not enough distinct knowledge literature on the subject that can concretely justify that rape is only a construct of desire, as there have been ample research studies conducted using diversified samples that illustrate rape is a multi-faceted activity that represents both inherent motivations for exerting power and satisfying cultural models of acceptable masculinity, with much less emphasis on rape as a product of satisfying intrinsic sexual desires. This paper describes the many intricacies of the act of rape in order to determine whether power or sexual ambition should be considered the primary motivation for sexual aggression against others. ... There are some cultural misconceptions pre-existing in Western societies where men in masculine social circles believe that men have the absolute right to demand sex when providing females with gifts or social recreation (Henslin, 2005). In cultures with very robust disparities between what is considered acceptable masculine behaviour versus feminine behaviour, it is more likely that acts of rape will be defended by male reference groups. Long-standing, acceptable cultural models that illustrate different standards for males versus females serve as the foundation for what motivates some acts of rape against others. Though there are multitudes of legalities established by democratic governance systems to define rape and its consequences for perpetrating sexual violence, the micro-level connotations of social reference groups determine the acceptability of performing sexual aggression. In this case, it is neither the exertion of power against others nor the fulfilment of whimsical sexu al desires; instead, it is the consequences of cultural judgment that serves as motivation to carry out rape. Psychologists and sociologists alike tend to agree that the power of peer assessment and criticism are powerful predictors of future behaviour for many in society (Weiten and Lloyd, 2005). Individuals who gain positive development of self-esteem and self-respect by adhering to reference group opinion would most likely justify performing violent rapes by citing social consensus. In some countries such as Nigeria, in which women are considered to be lesser entities compared to the patriarchical cultural model in place, rape is a common occurrence