Abstract
Sexual consent is defined as “an individual’s verbal or nonverbal expression of agreement to engage in sexual activity” (Hust, Marett, and Ren 281 para 3). From the definition, rape is then defined as sexual assault because one of the partners turns down the offer for sex. Mass media platforms are cited as major educators among the public on matters concerning sexual consent. The effect of magazines is especially significant because, amidst the growth in technology, they command the second biggest audience (Hust, Marett, and Ren 281). A variety of magazines portray men and women from different perspectives regarding consent, adherence, and willingness to participate in sexual activities. Female participants are regarded as the moderators, while males are the ever-interested participants. The magazines further influence men to forgo the importance of seeking consent from females. Females are motivated to reject unwanted sexual favors, while other magazines create the impression of women being the determinants of consent.
Introduction
The author focuses on the power to accept or reject sexual advances by either male or female partners. Sexual consent is an opinion and hence is influenced by some other external force. This influence, the author cites, is due to the magazines that the two genders relate to. Female magazines have led women to feel liberated enough to decide whether or not to grant sexual consent to a man. Further, the magazines bring out the female as the submissive recipient of all sexual advances; hence, it is her responsibility to set limits. The men are the restless pursuers of females and have no respect for consent by women. Thus, the definition of rape and sexual consent needs research to be understood.
Weaknesses of the Research
The article is important in pointing out the reason the meaning of the term rape is ambiguous. Rape is associated with sexual consent and is defined as sexual assault due to a lack of consent. First, the author emphasizes that consent in America cannot be legally given by an incapacitated person, such as when they are asleep, intoxicated, or unconscious. Rape therefore includes sex between a couple without the consent of either partner (Hust, Marett, and Ren 285). In relation to consent, the people who, according to the research, showed little intention of seeking consent were mistaken about the definition of rape. The research on the students shows that magazines affect men in such a way that they seek sexual activity and disregard the consent of their female partners (Hust, Marett, and Ren 287 para 2). The findings of the article insinuate that men have higher chances of being the rapists while women are the victims. This finding is contradictory to the findings from teen magazines, which encourage women to dress provocatively to attract sexual attention (Hust, Marett, and Ren 282). The author leaves the issue unclarified for the readers.
The research in the article is biased because it is not inclusive of different cultures and regions. The article relies on data collected from students in a common area and school. Also, the research generalizes the data collected from individuals of different ethnic and racial backgrounds. Thus, the data collected is incomplete and non-specific. A complete comparison requires that information for both parties be presented. The hypothesis regarding the effect of exposure to magazines on male participants is unproven, but the effect of exposure on women is explained (Hust, Marett, and Ren 285). This limits the findings of the research team and makes them biased.
Strengths of the Research
The research focuses on proving the effects of magazines on sexual decisions, consent, and the information in the magazines. The research points to the results of men’s exposure to male magazines, where they focus on sexual prowess rather than consent. This explains men’s disregard for consent from women in seeking sexual activities (Hust, Marett, and Ren 287). On the contrary, women’s magazines focus on empowering women to make decisions on consent. The finding explains the importance of the research in teaching women to adhere to safe sexual practices while consenting to sexual activities (Hust, Marett, and Ren 287). The research proves the significance of the magazines by pointing out the different information relayed to male and female readers.
The author claims that the magazines have a high impact on male and female readers. Further, the author alleges that the affected people are aged 18-24 years. These magazines have a direct effect on the “knowledge, attitude, and beliefs related to sexual topics” (Hust, Marett, and Ren 283 para 2). The knowledge further influences the decisions young people make regarding safe sexual activities, the use of condoms, and health-related issues with sexual activities. It is for these reasons that the author is convinced that the magazines affect the sexual consent differences between men and women. While male magazines emphasize the importance of sexual activities, female magazines emphasize the role of women in giving or denying consent for sexual activities (Hust, Marett, and Ren 282 para 2). The author successfully explains the important roles that these magazines play in the development process of the younger generations.
Suggestions for Weaknesses
The research documented and generalized data from the 313 student participants. There were participants from different racial backgrounds who might have shown different results for different people (Hust, Marett, and Ren 283). Thus, the research should tabulate the results with regard to race and regions of origin. The author does not clarify the rape issue but instead leaves the decision to the reader (Hust, Marett and Ren 286). The research would clarify the rape issue only if the sixth hypothesis on adherence to sexual consent were tested. Support for or rejection of the hypothesis would help determine whether the male participant should or should not be the one to blame.
References
Hust, Stacey J.T., et al. “Establishing and Adhering to Sexual Consent: The Association between.” JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 51.3 (2014): 280-290. Print.
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