RAPE AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM - A BYPRODUCT OF THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT

• NCJ Number: 45429
• Journal: Social Problems Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (OCTOBER 1977) Pages: 75-89
• Author(s): V M ROSE
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Soc for the Study of Social Problems
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: THIS IS A REVISED VERSION OF 'RAPE AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM A FEMINIST AND SOCIAL MOVEMENT PERSPECTIVE', PRESENTED AT THE PACIFIC SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, MARCH 1976

Annotation

THE ANTIRAPE MOVEMENT IS ANALYZED FROM A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE, EMPHASIZING INTEREST GROUP FORMATION AND ACTION AND THE GENERATION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS BY SOCIAL MOVEMENTS.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH A VARIETY OF INTEREST GROUPS HAVE EXPRESSED INCREASING CONCERN OVER FORCIBLE RAPE, THUS CONTRIBUTING TO ITS DEFINITION AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM, THE FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE REPRESENTS THE MOST ACTIVE AND VOCAL OF ANTIRAPE INTERESTS. THE ACTIVITIES AND ANALYSES OF ANTIRAPE FORCES IN THREE AREAS ARE EXAMINED: AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, IN THE LEGISLATIVE ARENA, AND IN THE JUDICIAL SPHERE. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN RESISTANCE TO THE FEMINIST CHALLENGE OF TRADITIONAL DEFINITIONS OF RAPE WITHIN EACH ARENA, MUCH HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE PROCESS OF DEFINING RAPE AS A SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBLEM CONTINUES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED.)