Evolution Explains Why Men Rape - Essay Example

Evolution Explains Why Men Rape Introduction Rape is real and continues to exist in the society regardless of the culture embraced by human beings across the world. In the society, rape is considered as anti-social behavior and not talked about in some cultures across the world and in particular, developing countries where there are still retrogressive traditional beliefs. In the western world, the prevalence of rape can be estimated since incidents of rape are normally reported for further action. However, this is unlikely in the third world countries where reporting incidents of rape is still stigmatized. Rape in conventional terms is primarily defined as using force to fulfill sexual pleasure without the consent of the victim. Conventionally, women are considered as the victim of rape since male rape is seldom reported (Buss, 2004). In regard to an evolutionary psychological perspective, the prevalence of rape among men is associated with different psychological dysfunction or learned behavior. In addition, men are considered to possess evolved psychological mechanism that draws them to rape under certain conditions or circumstances. In terms of comparing gender, men often consider themselves as superior to their female counterparts. As such, they have developed a belief system that the female gender by nature has to be submissive to the male gender. This is a scenario that results in the men developing a dominant attitude toward the female gender. As a result of developing a dominant attitude towards women, men are not able to cope with resistance against sexual advancement on women. This drives certain men to resort to the use of force to satisfy their sexual desires. As such, the already established cultures of dominance in which women are supposed to submit to men, result in a situation where men preempt the use of force against unwilling victim. In essence, psychology has a significant influence among many male rapists. This is because rape is behavior that is learned and not as a result of inherited genes (Buss, 2004). There are experiences that can lead men to become rapists, this behavior may be as a result of early childhood experiences or evolve as a person grows up because of other psychological dysfunctions. Early childhood experience plays a critical role in behavior that a person develops as they grow. A male child with a traumatic experience from his early life may develop psychological disturbances that include sexual disorders. Such a disorder may turn the male child into aggressive behavior. As a result of fixation in early childhood, a person may not be able to relate in a conventional manner with the opposite sex. This is because they grow up with psychological disturbances that include a low self-esteem that hinders them from relating normally with the opposite sex. As a result, such a person is forced to resort to behaviors that can sustain their sexual appetite. On the same note, the sexual desires that one is not able to express normally may result in using force when opportunity presents itself (Buss, 2004). In regard to hypothesis posited by various researchers concerning rape, men are often seen as aggressive and more eager to engage in sexual intercourse. This behavior leads men to be more assertive and less discriminative in choosing their mate. Since male regard themselves as the superior gender, they often find themselves acting on impulse which explains the higher incidents of rape among different cultures across the world. In different cultures, the female gender does not have a voice, and when they are raped, this is taken lightly thus; encouraging rape by men in the society. Reporting incidents of rape by women are often treated with stigmatization and this motivates male rapists to continue the habit. Rape by men is encouraged by the way, the society construes the behavior. In the event that the behavior is not punished, male rapist is motivated to continue the behavior because the benefits they gain surpasses the cost or punishment within the society (Ghiglieri, 2000). On another note, there are different adaptations that drive men to rape women. In this sense, culture plays a role in influencing the prevalence of rape among men. For example, in a culture where rape is viewed as a minor offence or where rape is a gateway to marry often encourage rapists to engage in the behavior. The rapist in this sense is aware that, forcing themselves on a woman would make that woman their property. In this sense, rapists are taking advantage of the opportunity created within the culture they subscribe. The environment where an individual inhabit may also lead to adapting a rapist attitude. This is as a result of observing the behaviors of others and how they relate to women. As a result, a person is driven to learn behavior and become an expert in such a behavior through a gradual process. Most men become expert rapists by learning from other psychologically disturbed male friends. On the other hand, the expectations required of a man by different traditions they subscribe could turn them to rapists. For example, certain traditions require men to prove their authority through marrying when they come of age. However, as a result of some psychological disturbances, some men cannot relate directly with women. This result in a situation where a man rapes a woman to prove his manhood. In addition, men believe in sexual entitlement, and when they are denied that opportunity, it is possible for them to resort to rape (Ghiglieri, 2000). History of victimization as aforementioned, influence the type of behavior that a person adopts. Sexual abuse while a person is still young, may lead them to the same behavior. This is because they adapt the behaviors they observe. Illiteracy also push men to rape because, they are attached to the retrogressive traditional beliefs where women exist in the society for one purpose, and that is to satisfy the sexual appetite of men. The disadvantaged men in terms of socio-economic status may also end up becoming rapist. This is because they lack the means of enticing women into sexual intercourse. As a result, the only means to satisfy their sexual desire is rape. In addition, unattractiveness could also be a reason that drives men to rape women. The belief that one is not attractive result in a low self-esteem and unable to relate with the opposite sex in a normal way. This leads such group of men to look for an opportunity to satisfy their sexual desires. Further, these men are likely to seek receptive women because they are afraid to express themselves to women as a result of feeling low due to their unattractiveness. These groups of men are also aware that the receptive women are unlikely to report such incident. As such, they are encouraged to commit rape, knowing there is no retaliation (Thornhill & Palmer, 2000). Drugs also tend to push men to acts of rape. This is because drugs lead people to act in a manner that lack self-control. A person under the influence of drugs lack awareness of the repercussion of their behavior because they are operating at id. They are not able to exercise conscientiousness because their actions are influenced by the pleasure principle. A person may harbor thoughts of forcing himself to a woman, but because they are operating at a conscious level, such feelings are suppressed and are less likely to commit rape; however, when drunk, such feelings are uncontrollable and are vulnerable to committing rape. Male with psychopathic tendencies are also susceptible to committing rape because of their dominance and aggressive nature. This group of men often resorts to non-coercive measures where a woman is not responsive. Because of their experience in regard to sex, these groups of men do not take it lightly when they are unable to coerce a woman into sexual intercourse. As a result, their only weapon is to resort to force as a way of satisfying their ego. Studies also show that, where men feel they have an upper hand in terms of mating, they are likely to resort to rape if the woman is not responsive. From their point of view, they develop a mindset where the relationship serves only one purpose which is to engage in copulation. On another note, men who spend a considerable time away from their partners are likely to commit rape. This is because, staying apart for some time increases the desire for copulation, and this may drive men to rape (Linder & Rice, 2005). However, despite men considered possessing evolved psychological mechanism that lead them to rape under certain circumstances, it is important to understand that rape is behavior that can be unlearned. The society need to establish norms that punish this behavior. This will reduce the prevalence of rape by men because the cost incurred will be higher than the reward from rape. Society enables rape in the sense that, the act is taken lightly among certain cultures because women are viewed as inferior and cannot go against men. As such, men take advantage of lack of social structures that check on their actions against women to commit rape. The psychological disturbances that evolve in persons such as sexual disorders can be solved through processes such as sensitizing men against rape or seeking professional assistance. Rape across cultures should be viewed as a social ill and punished accordingly to eliminate the behavior. Most men rape women because they are aware nothing will befall them as a consequent of raping a woman. Women, conversely, need to overcome stigmatization associated with rape and come out fighting against this antisocial behavior. Affirmative action in this sense plays a significant role in ensuring that rapists are punished accordingly (Bradely, 2000). In conclusion, while evolutionary psychology explains why men rape, it is necessary to note that rape is behavioral and not a genetic predisposition. In essence, this is behavior that can be eliminated in the society by adopting norms that control incidents of rape. The society need to establish social structures that play a role in protecting women against rape. References Bradely, B.S. (2000). Getting away with rape: Erasure of the psyche in evolutionary psychology. Evolution &Gender, Vol. 2, p. 48. Buss, D. M. (2004). Evolutionary psychology (2nded.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Thornhill, R. & Palmer, C. T. (2000). A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases for Sexual Coercion. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Ghiglieri, M. P. (2000). The dark side of man. New York: Perseus Books. Linder, J. E., & Rice, W.R.(2005). Natural selection and genetic variation for female resistance to harm from males. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Vol. 18, pp.568–575. Read More