posted
I just thought that I would post this topic because this is a very well written article on the show and what it deals with(date rape) and because I wanted to ask some people their opinions on this which was said by the producer.
Kids are playing a really adult game when they start becoming sexually active and there are risks associated with that.
She referred to kids in this context as young people between the ages of 10-17 which is the age target for the show. Just asking for some opinions on this.
posted
Well, what she's saying in the quote you give is certainly true - sex has risks and consequences (such as the risk of pregnancy or STDs), and being ready to handle those is part of being ready for sex.
But the implication of her remark in context seems to be that rape is just one of the inevitable risks of sex and occurs as a result of the victim's being sexually active.
Maybe this isn't what she meant, but that's how it comes across.
And I'm very uncomfortable with the implications of that. Rape is violence, not sex, and not being sexually active doesn't protect someone from being raped!
Yes, people need to be aware of the issue of date rape and know how to avoid getting themselves into situations where they're particularly likely to be vulnerable, for their own protection.
But treating rape as the result of "kids becoming sexually active" comes very close to blaming the victim.
posted
I don't think that was the intent. But it is true, in the scene depicted, that rape was made easier by a choice the character made, which makes it all the more painful, really. No, no one deserves to be raped, but learning ways to protect ourselves can lessen the chances of becoming a victim. I think this was a great topic for Degrassi to try to handle, and while I haven't seen the show in question, I'm familiar enough with the older series to be confident they did a good job of it.
------------------ Milke, with an L, SSBD, RATS, TMNTP, MF, CWCD, DNFTF, WAOTA
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