The culture of rape: examining causes and educating for a rape-free society

Abstract

This thesis explores factors, influences, and causes of rape through social constructivist and feminist lenses, and makes recommendations for improving sex education to address and challenge rape myths and rape culture in general. The ultimate aim is to promote education in order to reduce rape. I review the literature related to rape and rape culture in order to identify factors and influences contributing to rape-supportive beliefs and behaviours in society at large, including the ways in which women's lives are impacted by the constant threat of rape and how male socialization contributes to and normalizes this threat. Based on discourse and content analyses of online comments on articles related to rape and rape culture, and with reference to Ontario's most recent Health and Physical Education curriculum documents for grades 9 and 10 (Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, 1999), I make specific recommendations for how to better-educate boys and men about their roles and responsibilities in ending rape and mitigating rape culture.