5 Ways Sexual Assault is Really About Entitlement
Quote #1
“I have teenage daughters, I completely understand wanting to make sure they are safe and happy. And I think that unless you are advocating to end sexual in ways that address systemic solutions and don’t perpetuate victim blaming then you are part of the problem, not the solution.”
In this quote, Soraya Chemaly defines the misunderstanding of how some handle sexual assault. She prefaces by explaining that she knows what it is like to care for others because she has teenage daughters, which we know are often victims in these situations. She then goes on to say that if one does not stand up for something that they believe in, essentially it is as if they are standing for the other position. As a mother, Chemaly’s care for her daughters and other teenagers is clear but wishes everyone could have the same passion for ending sexual assault. This statement connects to the bigger idea that people who are not contributing to find a solution are entitled and are a major part of the problem.
Quote #2
In the wake of the Steubenville rape case, but before so many others, like the more recent case in Maryville, The Nation’s Dave Zirin called for a serious question of “the connective tissue between jock culture and rape culture.” The core characteristics of high-status boys’ sport - violence, dominance, power, specialness and impunity - are seamlessly to the marginalization and sexual objectification of girls and women as trophies and playthings.”
In this quote, Soraya Chemaly uses the Maryville example to highlight the role of popularity and social norms in sexual assault. The Steubenville case proves that clearly proves that the status of the perpetrator can commonly be let off easy if they hold a higher power. Some may think that these “popular” students who commit these acts of sexual assault and violence is upsetting because they had a bright future but is now suffering from consequences. The reality of these situations is that they victims often take a long healing period. The idea that women are men’s trophies is degrading and the perfect example of someone who is entitled and selfish in Chemaly’s eyes.
Quote #3
“Boys and girls are being sent off to college without parents ever discussing critical dilemmas, double standards, power imbalances, cultural entitlements, or even what it genuinely means to be empathetic. It’s not just the parents who themselves are struggling with alcohol, abuse and dysfunction that are a problem. It’s parents whose reluctance to speak openly about serious issues with children who also enable these problems to thrive.”
In this quote, Chemaly emphasizes the root of the problem with sexual assault which is simply not being educated. Teenagers can be surrounded by bad influences in their own home. Chemaly’s goal is for parents to have the serious conversation with their children so that they are prepared for college and know how to protect themselves. She thinks the parents are entitled by being a bad influence on the children. The teenagers who are unaware of the danger are most likely to be the ones who are silent when asked about sexual assault. This issue is another reason why Chemaly believes that sexual assault directly relates to entitlement.
Thoughtful questions for discussion
“I have teenage daughters, I completely understand wanting to make sure they are safe and happy. And I think that unless you are advocating to end sexual in ways that address systemic solutions and don’t perpetuate victim blaming then you are part of the problem, not the solution.”
In this quote, Soraya Chemaly defines the misunderstanding of how some handle sexual assault. She prefaces by explaining that she knows what it is like to care for others because she has teenage daughters, which we know are often victims in these situations. She then goes on to say that if one does not stand up for something that they believe in, essentially it is as if they are standing for the other position. As a mother, Chemaly’s care for her daughters and other teenagers is clear but wishes everyone could have the same passion for ending sexual assault. This statement connects to the bigger idea that people who are not contributing to find a solution are entitled and are a major part of the problem.
Quote #2
In the wake of the Steubenville rape case, but before so many others, like the more recent case in Maryville, The Nation’s Dave Zirin called for a serious question of “the connective tissue between jock culture and rape culture.” The core characteristics of high-status boys’ sport - violence, dominance, power, specialness and impunity - are seamlessly to the marginalization and sexual objectification of girls and women as trophies and playthings.”
In this quote, Soraya Chemaly uses the Maryville example to highlight the role of popularity and social norms in sexual assault. The Steubenville case proves that clearly proves that the status of the perpetrator can commonly be let off easy if they hold a higher power. Some may think that these “popular” students who commit these acts of sexual assault and violence is upsetting because they had a bright future but is now suffering from consequences. The reality of these situations is that they victims often take a long healing period. The idea that women are men’s trophies is degrading and the perfect example of someone who is entitled and selfish in Chemaly’s eyes.
Quote #3
“Boys and girls are being sent off to college without parents ever discussing critical dilemmas, double standards, power imbalances, cultural entitlements, or even what it genuinely means to be empathetic. It’s not just the parents who themselves are struggling with alcohol, abuse and dysfunction that are a problem. It’s parents whose reluctance to speak openly about serious issues with children who also enable these problems to thrive.”
In this quote, Chemaly emphasizes the root of the problem with sexual assault which is simply not being educated. Teenagers can be surrounded by bad influences in their own home. Chemaly’s goal is for parents to have the serious conversation with their children so that they are prepared for college and know how to protect themselves. She thinks the parents are entitled by being a bad influence on the children. The teenagers who are unaware of the danger are most likely to be the ones who are silent when asked about sexual assault. This issue is another reason why Chemaly believes that sexual assault directly relates to entitlement.
Thoughtful questions for discussion
- How does Chemaly suggest that parents educated their children on sex and sexual assault?
- What is the relationship between responsibility and entitlement? Do they go hand in hand?
- How can we prevent sexual assault and other violence on college campuses?