Rape culture, as defined by Valenti and Harding, favors men in all aspects. Valenti uses the concept of double standards in her description to portray the different ways in which alcohol use amongst men and women is viewed. She says “Shouldn’t we be telling men that drinking puts them in danger of crossing the line? No way – because guys’ drinking is fun; its normal socializing. But girls’ drinking has always meant the same thing: sex” (Valenti 2009: 128). This way of thinking is what has led people to believe that double standards are a normal and acceptable thing. Sure, men drinking is typically associated with aggressiveness or “rough housing” while women drinking may not be, but I don’t think that excuses the unfairness towards women when it comes to how their alcohol consumption is viewed. In her description of how women partaking in alcohol consumption are viewed, Valenti says “The common sentiment is still that women who get drunk are either sluts who are looking for an excuse to have sex or should have known better than to make themselves seem “vulnerable”” (Valenti 2009: 27). If this way of thinking was applied to men, in current day society, it would not make sense. This is essentially why rape culture leads men and women to act differently. Because the dangers and risk levels of partaking in such things like alcohol consumption are not seen as equal. Harding on the other hand, emphasizes more on the idea of consent. She says “Human beings do not have to say the word “no” to be understood clearly in any number of situations – but when it comes to sex, rape culture tells us that only “no” can possibly mean no” (Harding 2015: 14). This can explain why there are several instances where rape victims are not justifiably treated. This thin line of where consent takes place is the root of several rape cases. Similarly, Harding expresses “It’s not that they don’t want to risk killing the mood, it’s that they benefit from the misconception that consent is a murky, complicated thing (Harding 2015: 18). The combination of Valenti’s use of double standards and Harding’s use of ideas behind consent accurately depict the ways in which rape culture has currently been shaped. There is a sense of unfairness that goes around when women are compared to men. It seems that in terms of rape culture it is much easier for men to get around due to misconceptions caused by the ideas presented by Valenti and Harding. These ideas have definitely shaped the ways in which men and women behave. Men are more free to do as they please without being judged due to the ideas presented by Valenti and Harding, therefore they drink more freely and interact more freely with others. Women are more quick to be judged. Their reasons for drinking are thought to be as an excuse to do something that they normally wouldn’t do, while men’s reasons for drinking is thought to just be a fun, social activity.

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