NCJ Number
58839
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
DEVELOPED AS PART OF A SERIES ON RAPE PREVENTION FOR TEENAGERS, THIS FILM DEPICTS THE PEER PRESSURES AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE THAT MAY LEAD TO A TYPE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CALLED ACQUAINTANCE RAPE.
Abstract
AFTER A FOOTBALL VICTORY CELEBRATION, TWO YOUNG MEN AND THEIR SEXUALLY INEXPERIENCED FRIEND TAKE A YOUNG WOMAN OUT FOR A RIDE IN THEIR CAR. BECAUSE THE WOMAN HAS ALREADY BEEN LABELED AS HAVING A 'BAD REPUTATION,' THE MEN ASSAULT HER, CREATING A MORAL DILEMMA FOR THE MEN'S FRIEND WHEN THEY INSIST THAT HE PARTICIPATE IN SEXUALLY ATTACKING HER. THIS VIGNETTE ILLUSTRATES THE DOUBLE STANDARD PREVALENT IN SOCIETY REGARDING MALE AND FEMALE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR. WHEN A WOMAN WEARS SUGGESTIVE CLOTHING AND BEHAVES UNLIKE HER PEERS, CULTURAL CONDITIONING SUGGESTS THAT SHE IS INVITING TROUBLE. MEN WHO ARE SEXUALLY INEXPERIENCED ARE OFTEN TAUNTED AND CHALLENGED BY THEIR PEERS TO PROVE THEIR MANHOOD. THE CHARACTERS IN THE FILM ARE ALL VICTIMS OF POWERFUL PEER PRESSURES TO CONFORM TO THESE STANDARDS. BECAUSE THE WOMAN USES HER SEXUALITY FOR ATTENTION AND AFFIRMATION, SHE IS LABELED BY THE MEN FOR INITIATION RITES AND SEXUAL ADVENTURING. THE SEXUALLY INEXPERIENCED YOUNG MAN, HOPING TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE GANG, OBVIOUSLY FEELS THE TUG OF HIS PEERS' INFLUENCE. A DISCUSSION GUIDE HAS BEEN INCLUDED TO PROMOTED CLASS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE DANGERS OF LABELING INDIVIDUALS, THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE WILL GO TO GAIN GROUP APPROVAL, AND THE NEED TO DEVELOP AND LIVE BY INDIVIDUAL ETHICS. (WJR)