The (D)Evolution of Sex

Over the span of time, sex has evolved in its meaning, acceptance and description.  Sex in itself has a dual definition.  Not only does it define the act of mating and reproduction taken on by the majority of species (with the exception of asexual beings), it is also defined as the biological makeup and organs of an organism as one of the two major forms of individuals that occur in many species.  For all intensive purposes of this post, sex will be referring to the act of reproduction that commonly occurs within a species.  The second definition of sex is room enough for another post by itself.

In the beginning of time, sex and the act of mating in the human species is characterized by the act of a caveman hitting a woman over the head and dragging her back to his cave.  It was a more primal instinct.  While that still is within our being, the modernity has changed the acceptance of this practice to being void.  But when there were few people on the Earth, the reasoning behind sex was to populate the world.  The picture of the caveman could also be an explanation of expanding the gene pool, as well as an expression of power.

This expression of power did not become extinct with the evolution of the species.  On the contrary, it was adopted as a ready expression and method of warfare.  Along with this, pedophilia was adopted in early armies, especially found within the Greek armies.  I will not speak much on this as I would have to do extensive further research to have a better understand as to the reasoning behind.  But sex as an expression of warfare had primal reasons.  You breed them out.  This is why warfare is sometimes connected with the phrase "rape and pillage."  You steal their wealth and impregnate the women, the nation has in effect lost a piece of its identity.  What is more, the winners write history.  Whenever you read history or study history, consider that half of the story is not expressed from anyone's view but the victors and that there is always two sides.

There has been records during WW2 that when foreigners stepped foot on Japan, whole families were found to be dead in their homes.  Women were told that if invaded, they would be taken and raped, the ultimate disgrace against honor and the family.  As a result, they would kill themselves to avoid their bodies and bloodline being defiled.  War, rape, sex and self-protection has at some point in time been intertwined together.

To this day, there is a battle occurring with power and sex intermixed.  Rape is a prominent under belly of society.  And rape is nothing other than power.  There is nothing sexual influencing the "choice" to rape a woman (or a man, as they too can be raped).  Men can be raped.  It is still an act of power.  This is a major issue in society.  There are mixed signals expressed by society.  The media depicts women as objects, as something to be demeaned, taken advantage of and torn apart.  Then the act of rape is wrong.  Is it any wonder that there is possible ingrained confusion in our youth?  The popular media objectifies women and has lyrics glorifying the act of rape while the law reads that it is wrong.

Women at one time were nothing more than living, breathing property, to be bought, sold and traded.  To be treated as cattle, where the "rule of thumb" came into play on the steps of Town Hall.  Dowry was paid to husbands.  Women were expected to carry, bear and keep children and house.  They had no rights and no privileges in society.  While much of this role in society has changed, equal rights still do not exist.  In my blunt opinion, it will not exist until I can finally walk down a street in a seemingly safe neighborhood without fear for myself.  And yes, I have had that fear even while in college, on campus.

Sex is ever evolving.  The definition of what is acceptable within the sex world is constantly changing, including accepted acts with items, such as dolls (NatGeo "Taboo" had an episode based on the attraction to dolls, robots or inanimate objects).  But there is never excuse for rape.  My jeans may be tight and my dress may graze the top of my knee.  But that is no reason to say "She was asking for it."  Too many women have been subjected to this horrifying crime and will continue to be subjected until we change our societal perception and address the situation accordingly.  Instead of teaching how to avoid being raped, why not teach NOT to rape?

I believe I have gone on a sufficient rant for the day.  I must get ready for work but please keep in mind when read this that no deep research has gone into this posting.  This is just a collection of observations and studies and lectures over the years of education.  I hope you all enjoy this thing called "La Vie."

Slave to Duty and Society

If you watch the news, I am sure you are like many and dread it every night.  It never seems to be anything good.  Always bad.  This post isn't about bashing news.  On the contrary, we as people need to know what is going wrong in our society to be able to repair its shortcomings.  I will explain why I bring this up.

This morning, before I went to work, I happened to catch a movie I rather enjoy being shown.  The Duchess starring Keira Knightley.  For those of you not quite familiar with this movie, I highly recommend you view it.  It may be difficult to watch and I would most adamantly recommend you do not include your small children in the viewing.  For the very reason of the scene I am going to discuss.  You might deem this a spoiler but this scene is not the entirety of the movie.

At this point in the film, the Duchess of Devonshire attempts to strike up a deal with her husband, the Duke.  She will live amiably with his mistress, who is also her friend, blessing and condoning their extra-martial affairs on one condition:

She wishes her feelings for another gentleman to be accepted as well.

At this, the Duke is disgusted and indicates that he does not make deals.  He insults the children of his mistress and demands an heir.  The Duchess leaves the table with her husband and his mistress in her wake.  The Duke pauses before quickly pursuing her.  He follows her into her room, where he walks in.  He proclaims that all he asked for from her was loyalty and a male heir, to which she replied, "The same as your dogs."

At that, the Duchess begins to scream and cry at as the Duke....rapes her.

Why, you must be wondering.  Why would ANYONE want to watch a movie with that in it!  I will be happy to tell you why.  Because these atrocities happened every day in that period of time.  This is where we get "Rule of Thumb" from.  A man was allowed to beat his wife as long as the rod was no wider than his thumb.  Women were made to do whatever a man wished, including be subjected to the sexual demands of her own husband, whether by choice or by force.

And because this world still hangs in the shadows of our society today.

If you have been watching the news, no doubt you have seen, heard and discussed the Steubenville case, where a girl of 16 who was incapacitated with substances (I can't remember if it was alcohol or what the case is) to the point where she cannot remember anything about that night.  Where boys, who are active on the local football team, took advantage of this girl and her vulnerable state.  Pictures were disseminated around the school and community.  They were brought before the court and you know what sentence they were given?

 

Juvenile...until age 21...

That is, for the youngest, a total of 5 years.  This girl's dignity was calculated to cost those boys 5 years of freedom.  Meanwhile, her name was shared with the world, the boys were pitied for their life ending, and the town is outraged that this girl didn't keep silent.

Because that is what is taught.  Be silent.  Be quiet.  Girls, don't create a fuss.  I know the Dean of Students at my university had to step down because it was discovered that she had silenced rape reports.  It's bad for PR, right?  God forbid anyone speak up for the victim and protect them. 

But I think the bigger problem lies in the fact that instead of teaching boys it is wrong to rape, we are teaching girls how to prevent being raped.  Isn't that a bit backwards?  It really makes me think about where our world is going and how can we prevent it from falling so hard? 

Reflect on this and other things you see in the news.  Then consider how you conduct your life.  Are there ways you can improve the perception in the world?  While you ponder, please enjoy a thing called, "La Vie."