Introduction
The current trend that swiftly permeates all platforms on the internet and aspects of life is being conscious of other people’s traumas and maintaining a tolerant approach to every individual. Although society used to be ignorant of the harmful effects of discrimination and bullying, now a strong emphasis is put on the support of those oppressed and the necessity of measures toward oppressors. The same approach is usually applied when it comes to the matter of rape.
In her piece “Laughing It Off,” Katherine Leyton makes the case that, with the correct presentation, rape jokes may be entertaining. However, it is still debatable whether these restrictions also apply to jokes about male rape. While women have been strongly supported in terms of rape cases, it is essential to offer similar support to the male survivors of rape. Therefore, comedians should exercise the same caution with male rape jokes as with female rape jokes, given that such a kind of humor can trigger survivors, making them feel unsafe and perpetuating rape culture.
Triggering Survivors
Firstly, rape jokes can be upsetting for those who have experienced sexual assault. In her article, Leyton admitted that society has become desensitized to the topic of rape, where “a woman can find experiencing it only moderately traumatizing, and an audience can laugh at it” (Leyton 4). In this situation, when rape jokes are not filtered, they can trigger painful memories and make victims relive their trauma (Mendes et al. 239). This applies not only to female rape jokes but male rape jokes as well.
In general, the idea prevails in society that men are capable of enduring bigger pain and remain unbothered by insensitive humor, when in reality, such a stereotypical approach might only deepen the trauma. Therefore, in terms of male rape jokes, a stronger emphasis should be put on not triggering the audience who could experience such moments. Sexual assault victims should not be made to feel as though their pain is amusing.
Perpetuating Rape Culture
Secondly, rape humor can help perpetuate the rape culture since comedy can affect public opinion and disseminate dangerous ideas. Laughing at sexual assault can foster a society where rape is accepted as usual, and victims are held accountable for their own assault (Voss 451). Rape jokes can further reinforce the notion that sexual assault is an innocent joke rather than a severe offense.
Even Leyton admitted in her article that when she heard rape jokes from her friend at a show, she “laughed along with the audience,” despite the background of this humor being distressful (Leyton 3). However, one should not forget that male rape is often disregarded, as if it rarely happens. In reality, the fact that male rape is not as common as female rape is a myth, which means that unfiltered jokes about male rape survivors cannot be acceptable (Walfield 6391).
In contrast, such a kind of humor will continue to stigmatize the male population further and desensitize society to instances of rape. Therefore, male rape jokes should be used with extreme caution in order not to be disrespectful to the survivors and foster such an approach further.
Creating an Unsafe Environment
Thirdly, rape jokes may foster an atmosphere where survivors feel vulnerable and alone. Individuals who have experienced sexual assault should never be led to believe that their suffering is a source of amusement. In general, society may view male rape jokes as funnier since men are generally viewed as the stronger group of the population. However, such an approach only deepens the survivors’ trauma and the feeling of vulnerability as if they will not be understood (Mendes et al. 239).
It is incumbent on everybody as a culture to foster an atmosphere of safety and respect for all sexual assault victims. This entails being aware of the language being used and the effects it could have on others. Thus, it is critical to remember that even when one does not mean to hurt anybody, their words can have a significant influence.
Counterargument
Nevertheless, some can claim that since men are less likely to become victims of rape, male rape jokes are less harmful than female rape jokes. By saying this, some imply that male survivors’ experiences are less worthy of support. Moreover, what is meant by this is that men are not exposed to the trauma of rape as frequently as women, which makes it acceptable to make jokes about men.
Rebuttal
However, the argument provided above is flawed for several reasons. First, although male rape is less frequently acknowledged than female rape, this does not make it any less painful for survivors. In fact, a lack of knowledge and assistance may make rape victims feel even more alone and humiliated.
Second, by trivializing male rape, people support damaging stereotypes and advance a society that minimizes the suffering of male survivors (Kennath 1148). As a matter of fact, the topic of male sexual assault is already stigmatized and seldom ever covered in the media. Jokes about male rape might reinforce negative preconceptions and make it even more difficult for male victims to come forward and seek support (Kennath 1148).
It is, therefore, crucial to keep in mind that humor should not be used as an excuse for dismissing other people’s pain and that everybody should work to build a culture that is more accepting and compassionate, and where all instances of sexual assault are treated seriously. Thus, instead of making oppressed populations the punchline of a joke, comedians should use their position to empower and uplift them.
Conclusion
Hence, given that this type of comedy can be upsetting to survivors, make them feel uncomfortable, and perpetuate rape culture, comedians should use the same caution when making jokes about male rape as they would when making jokes about female rape. First, those who have suffered sexual assault may find rape jokes disturbing. In this case, unfiltered rape jokes have the potential to bring back traumatic memories and make victims relive their experiences.
Second, since comedy has the power to sway public opinion and spread perilous ideas, it may contribute to the continuation of rape culture. Thirdly, the atmosphere created by these jokes could make survivors feel defenseless and alone. However, some can argue that because men are less likely to be raped, male rape jokes are less harmful than those about women.
As mentioned earlier, however, the reasoning is faulty for several reasons. First, even though male rape is less widely acknowledged than female rape, survivors do not find it any less traumatic. Second, through demeaning preconceptions about men and male rape, individuals foster a culture that diminishes the pain of male survivors.
Works Cited
Widanaralalage, B. Kennath, et al. “‘I Didn’t Feel I Was a Victim’: A Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Male-on-Male Survivors of Rape and Sexual Abuse.” Victims & Offenders, vol. 17, no. 8, 2022, pp. 1147-1172. Web.
Leyton, Katherine. “Laughing It Off: What Happens When Women Tell Rape Jokes?” BitchMedia, Web.
Mendes, Kaitlynn, Jessica Ringrose, and Jessalynn Keller. “# MeToo and the Promise and Pitfalls of Challenging Rape Culture Through Digital Feminist Activism.” European Journal of Women’s Studies, vol. 25, no. 2, 2018, pp. 236-246. Web.
Voss, Barbara L. “Disrupting Cultures of Harassment in Archaeology: Social-Environmental and Trauma-Informed Approaches to Disciplinary Transformation.” American Antiquity, vol. 86, no. 3, 2021, pp. 447-464. Web.
Walfield, Scott M. ““Men Cannot be Raped”: Correlates of Male Rape Myth Acceptance.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 36, no. 13, 2021, pp. 6391-6417. Web.