PartI:Read the file
What are the origins of heterosexuality? How has our understating of sexuality changed? What caused these changes? Why does society regulate sexuality?Who has the power to say what sexual desires are pathological, abnormal, and criminal and so on?
Part II:Watch the documentary
Audrie and Daisy.Once you have completed the documentary, please create a new post discussing your reaction to the film and answering the following: how prevalent is sexual assault and how should our society be addressing the problem of sexual assault in this country? What problems exist with how victims of sexual violenceare treated? Everyone must respond to at least five students’ posts and participate in the on-going conversation.
Part III:Reply to the posts below:1.Although prevalent in modern-day society, sexuality was not always a social controversy. In fact, the terms “homosexuality” and “heterosexuality” didn’t come into existence until recently. These terms were first created by doctors, used clinically to describe the mental explanations of sexuality. In the nineteenth century, these terms began to become common words to describe sexual desires. With this emergence also came societal norms associated with these two sexualities. “The first part of the new sex norm-hetero- referred to a basic gender divergence. The ‘oppositeness’ of the sexes was alleged to be the basis for a universal, normal, erotic attraction between males and females” (Katz 155). Prior to this societal shift, heterosexuality was only referred to as a means for reproduction. In the Victorian Ages, for example, it was believed that the reproductive organs were only to be used to reproduce, while the rest of your body was to be used to provide for family and society. (Lecture). Now, sex has become more pleasure-based, rather than solely for reproductive means. This major shift of ideology has led towards heterosexuality becoming a standard societal norm, meaning that heterosexuality was deemed to be “normal”. Homosexuality was seen to be scandalous and “abnormal”, despite the insignificance of sexual preference. This mentality has been ingrained into society, degrading those who took part in homosexual activities. Although religious institutions hold great responsibility for this discrimination, the doctors who coined these phrases are also to blame as well. The increased interest in the doctors’ studies of sexuality began the labeling of sexuality and instilled the idea that one group held superiority over another, solely for sexual preference. Nobody has the authority to deem one sexual desire as superior, or to state that homosexuality is criminal and abnormal. Sexuality is a complex aspect of an individual that should not be judged. Difference in gender preferences should not create discrimination or be degrading to others. Rather, everyone should love one another equally, and judge the actions of others less.
2.Sexual assault primarily effects women and one in three women experience sexual violence at some point in their life in the United States. The perpetrators are more likely to get away with it than be convicted and usually know the victim. Teenagers are the most at risk to experience sexual assault or rape. Our society and criminal justice system do not properly address the problem of sexual assault in this country. In the documentary,
Audrie and Daisy, two girls were sexually assaulted by boys they knew from school and had pictures, or a video posted on the internet that were later deleted. The boys in both cases never served any jail time and received no major form on discipline from their respective schools. Audrie and Daisy were bullied and shamed on social media and at school and their families were affected as well. The disbelief and public shame lead Audrie to commit suicide and lead Daisy to blame herself, attempt suicide several times, and self-mutilate.
People should not be victim-shamed for their sexual assault. Teenagers are still learning the difference between right and wrong. Young girls who drink to access are doing what many young people do. Getting drunk and passing out in the presence of boys does not mean you are “asking” to get raped or sexually assaulted. Society should not shame victims or take sides in sexual assault cases. Everyone involved in a case such as this are going to be socially and mentally harmed for a long time. Parents need to be more directly involved in every situation their children are in and pay closer attention to where their children are and who they are with. The criminal justice system also needs to reevaluate the way it deals with sexual assault cases. Lack of evidence does not equate to the assault not occurring and is not an adequate means of proving innocence. Laws regarding minors, such as the one in Missouri that states a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old can legally have sex, need to have exceptions or be abolished altogether. Young men and women should be taught in their sex ed classes what consent means and how to determine when it is present and when it is not. Young people need to be aware of what they are posting on the internet and know that even if you delete it - it does not entirely erase its existence.
Survivors who come out with their stories should be connected to other survivors and organizations that can help their situation. This can give survivors a sense of hope and prevent them from feeling alone. Audrie did not have these outlets or any support outside of her family which lead her, like other victims, to take her own life. Luckily, Daisy was able to survive her trauma and connect with other survivors to tell her story and move on with her life.