Search results for: intimate partner violence
Why The Dichotomy of “Sluts” and “Regular Girls” is Dangerous
Jenna Marbles posted a video expressing her opinions about women who she referred to as “sluts.” In a response to this, popular vlogger Hayley Hoover explains how the video could negatively affect Jenna’s audience of primarily young women. Watch Hayley explain how setting up a dichotomy between “sluts” and “regular girls” leads to rape, and the internalization of blame on the part of rape victims.
Read MoreGetting Consent
Erin McKelle argues that part of the reason why people are so bad at getting consent is because they don’t know what consent looks like. So what does consent look like, and how does it work? Well, for one thing, let’s talk about the importance of enthusiasm when it comes to consent in that it shows actual interest in sex, rather than complacency.
Read More6 Steps You Can Take If You’re Being Sexually Harassed at Work
Before we can think about whether or not we’ve ever experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, we need to become familiar with different definitions and forms of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is intimidation of a sexual nature. It is any type of unwelcome sexual advance, from a crude joke to aggressive sexual bullying. And there are actions that you can take against it.
Read MoreAre You Raising a Bully Bystander? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
Steubenville is a horrific example of the bystander effect. But what if your kid is a bystander to teasing, to name calling, to social ostracizing – behaviors that some refer to as “kids being kids?” Have you addressed that? Are you sure you’ve modeled the proper way not to stand by? Let’s look at some ways parents might inadvertently be supporting bystanders.
Read MoreWhat Advertisements Directed Toward Men Are Really Selling
The search for one’s own definition of what it means to be a man is an important part of maturity for young men. Many men look to popular culture for what male behavior is supposed to be and how we’re supposed to display it. But male-oriented advertising too often uses hyper-masculine images to sell products. Let’s take a look at just what they’re selling.
Read MoreChild Sexual Abuse: What It Is And What To Do About It
No one wants to think about the sexual abuse of children, particularly involving their own kids. But it’s a devastating reality that too many children face, and we help no one when we avoid it. We must be educated in order to be prepared to help the survivors – your kids, your nieces and nephews, your friends’ kids. So here’s a breakdown of what is it and what to do if a child is being abused.
Read More5 Ways to Build Empathy In Our Communities
As social creatures, we thrive in community and rely on each other for our very survival and use empathy to connect and build that community. But we train empathy out of our bodies by shielding our eyes to what we do not want to see – ignoring the raw humanity and need that is right in front of us, that would make us ache if we would only let it. This has an impact on us as individuals and as a community.
Read MoreHow Some Men Harass Women Online And What Other Men Can Do To Stop It
When women write about feminism, some men threaten them with rape and murder, call them “man-haters,” verbally abuse them, and more. But men’s online harassment of women seems to go unquestioned, even defended, in most circles. So it’s not enough for me to simply not harass women myself – if I don’t raise my voice when I see this, I’m letting the Limbaughs be the lone voices of my gender.
Read MoreFive Ways Rape Culture Exists Unnoticed And Goes Unchecked In Our Everyday Life
While there are many glaring examples of rape culture, there’s also a covert nature to rape culture that often goes unnoticed. We must also look beyond the overt ways in which rape apologia exists and recognize exactly how it sneaks into our everyday life. So let’s look at some pervasive and normalized parts of society that contribute to it and what you can do about it in your life.
Read MoreNavigating Consent: Debunking the “Gray Area” Myth
The “gray area” we have come to know as an inevitable part of sex is a product of our culture’s unhealthy approach to sex. But this murky confusion does not have to and should not exist. We need to talk openly about the “gray area” myth and how it plays out in order to recognize instances in which consent is being assumed where it does not exist and in order to have truly consensual sexual experiences.
Read MoreOnly “Yes” Means Yes: Why Sometimes What You Think Is Consensual Sex Is Actually Rape
Some people seem confused on what consensual sex means and end up raping someone without consciously intending to and wouldn’t have if they had known it was rape. So we need to teach both men and women that it’s still rape – intentional or not. And hopefully prevent a portion of sexual assault from happening.
Read MoreAdmiring Emotionally Abusive Relationships: What Our Attraction to Edward from Twilight Means for Us
Years ago, I was seduced by Edward Cullen in Twilight. But today I see what I thought was caring and protective was actually controlling and emotionally abusive.
Read MoreSex After Sexual Assault: A Guide for When It’s Tough
Sex after sexual assault can be tough. So here’s a helpful guide to getting all the self-care and pleasure you deserve after surviving sexual assault.
Read MoreYes, I Chose to Be Queer – I Was Not Born This Way, And Here’s Why That’s Okay
“Being gay is not a choice.” It’s a common refrain in support of LGBTQIA+ rights – but what is it really saying about queer identity? This insightful perspective might surprise you.
Read MoreDiary of a Polyamorous Black Girl – How I Learned That Polyamory Is a Privilege
Is polyamory a relationship option that’s unavailable to most black people? Here’s how this author has faced stigma as both a polyamorous person and a black woman.
Read More6 Reasons Telling Women Their Power Is in Their Sexuality Is Not Empowering
Do you see the notion that women can withhold sex to get what they want as empowering? This author has some important reasons for you to reconsider.
Read More5 Myths People Believe About Aromanticism That Just Aren’t True
“All aros are asexual.” Have you bought into any of these myths about aromantic identity? You might be surprised by how much the truth changes your perception.
Read MoreYou’re Not Broken If You’re Not Interested in Sex – But These 3 Social Lies Probably Make You Feel That Way
Our world is saturated in sex, and queerness is often linked to it. Can you think of more lies that make it seem like something’s wrong with you if you’re not interested in sex?
Read More5 Things Straight Women Should Stop Saying to Queer Women
There are certain things people say to queer women over and over again that they just shouldn’t — and straight women do this, too. We think that women can’t oppress other women, but it’s entirely possible. And we need to talk more about it. So, here are five things straight women shouldn’t say when talking to queer women. And yes, we’ve heard them all before.
Read MoreWhy Getting Laid Isn’t the Answer to Ableism
A lot of ignorance exists around sex and disability, especially regarding media portrayals involving providers of commercial sex.The problem lies in the way it’s presented, encouraging the audience to gawk and giggle. At the end of the day, no one is actually meant to perceive disabled people as desirable. So yes, getting laid is awesome, but it isn’t the end-all, be-all for everyone.
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