The Panel #1: Quarantine

To tell you the truth. I really don't like this  quarantine not that anyone does. I find that I'm extra bored with not alot of things to do in my home. I tryed playing some video games but really couldn't get back into it. All the joy I have gotten at home is really from sips of wine here and there. That's all I really have. I hope they keep the liquor stores open as I don't know what I would do if they shut down. Really what else are we supposed to do at home? I kinda wish I had someone special to spend this time with. I do have my family and we get by. But really it's been so boring here. Atleaste I have my dog with me. I know that throughout this  quarantine he'll be by my side through and through. Therefore, I am grateful. Let's hope this quarantine only lasts several weeks. I lament the times where we get to expirience culture out there in society. I'm terribly saddened that I am unable to eat at restaurants, one of the biggest drawback of this retched quarantine. I also miss going to the gym and exercising. Or even talking a walk on the seaside. These are things that the quarantine has taken away from us.

SCHOLAR: #METOO MOVEMENT

The article on Harvey Weinstein details the case that is currently going on in the USA with regards to his sexual abuse towards women.  Namely it mentions Jessica Mann and Mimi Haley both of which came forward to the authorities about what the accused has done.  On, “Feb. 24 [Weinstein was accused] of rape in the third degree for assaulting aspiring actress Jessica Mann in a New York City hotel room in 2013, and of committing a criminal sex act for forcing oral sex on former production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006” (Donaghue, 2020).  This case was probably one of the incidents that brought about the #Metoo movement.  Harvey was sentenced to 23 years in prison. 

As it pertains to pornography, sexual coercion & abuse and sexting it becomes evident that those whom are exposed to porn are more likely to partake in deviant sexual behaviors as according to the article, “Pornography, Sexual Coercion and Abuse and Sexting in Young People's Intimate Relationships: A European Study.”  In this article they specifically conduct a study that found that there were “high rates of experience of sexual coercion and abuse for girls in England, Italy and Norway” (Stanley, et al., 2016).  The report indicated that, “boys were more likely to report, using pressure rather than force, but it was noticeable that rates for both types of sexual coercion and abuse were particularly high in Italy where 34% of boys acknowledged that they had pressured a partner into kissing, intimate touching, or intercourse and 17% of boys admitted to forcing a partner into kissing, intimate touching, or intercourse.”

The subject matter of sexual coercion is a very complicated phenomena to explain.  There are so many variables that need to be explained as to the rational of those seeking to commit.  I think that the labelling of predators such as Harvey, has caused a lot of awareness especially through the #Metoo movement.  The cybersocialization of young teens and children has also caused them to be aware of how sex occurs.  Through what is provided in the internet, young people could get a glimpse of what is actually available in the society.  It is important to note that self socialization agents such as primary agents like the family provide adequate support to their children.  On another note, secondary agents, such as the educational system, can set up programs which teach these young people normal and accepted behavior when in contempt of sex.  I think that exposing Weinstein is a very important landmark, especially for the young children and teenagers whom are looking to start their own relationships.  The agency, of the #Metoo movement has taught people one thing and one thing only, that they are not alone and that there are always people there who have experienced similar experiences and that support is available if one seeks it.  I think society needs to promote good role models for the younger generation.  It is through meso groups in society that interest can be aggregated to allow for initiatives to be created such as rape focus groups so that people have someone to turn to in the event that they experience such sexual abuse.  The rise of feminism has caused exponential backlash against the patriarchy which is a good thing.  The misogyny that men are accustomed to has now been exposed through the Harvey Weinstein case, a precedent that specifies that in the industry, one truly has no friends or is evidently alone in the face of mass consensus as truth.  For what its worth, there is a possibility that these females could have acted differently had Harvey been younger and or if they perceived him to be hotter.  It is therefore not possible to test such variable as the case is now closed.  The fact that Harvey is much older plays a big role in their reaction.  This is therefore not a case of rape but rather undue influence.  Thus it is my belief the punishment should be reduced. 

REFERENCES

Donaghue, Erin.  (2020).  Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sex assault convictions.  USA.  CBS NEWS
Stanley, N.  et al.  (2016).  Pornography, Sexual Coercion and Abuse and Sexting in Young People's Intimate Relationships: A European Study.  Volume 33.  Issue 19.  Sage Journals.

INQUISITIVE: PRO LIFE V. PRO CHOICE