Word of the Week that was: Rape
Meaning: Rape, sometimes called sexual assault, involves sexual intercourse with another person without their consent
Etymology: From the Latin verb 'rapere' which means to seize or take by force
Origin: Rape originally had no sexual connotations. The word is still used generically in English. In ancient times, rape was viewed less as an assault on a woman and more as a serious property crime against the man to whom she belonged, typically the father or husband. The loss of virginity was an especially serious matter. A raped woman's prospects of finding a husband and an appropriate bride price reduced.
Current Significance: On Thursday, Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, who is accused of raping his maid, was remanded to judicial custody till July 2. Rape is increasingly reported, giving rise to the perception that its incidence is rising across the world. A recent survey in South Africa found one in four men admitting they had raped someone at least once. Nearly half admitted more than one attack. The study, by the country's Medical Research Council, said practices such as gang rape were common because they were considered a form of male bonding.
History: The history of rape and its changing meaning is complex. In Roman times, rape was considered a 'public wrong' or iniuria publica, as opposed to a 'private wrong' or iniuria privita. Rape-along with arson, treason and murder-has always been a capital offense. Till the colonial period, rape along with arson, treason and murder was a capital offense. In England in the early fourteenth century, a rape victim was expected to gouge out the eyes and sever the offender's testicles herself. Mediaeval theologian Thomas Aquinas argued that rape, though sinful, was much more acceptable than masturbation because it fulfilled the procreative function of sex, while the other acts violated its purpose.
Public perception of rape arguably changed with the 1988 film 'The Accused', starring Jodie Foster. The film explored issues pertaining to the legal and moral responsibility of witnesses. It also challenged the prevalent view that a scantily clad woman in a bar on her own was "asking for it".
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Etymology: From the Latin verb 'rapere' which means to seize or take by force
Origin: Rape originally had no sexual connotations. The word is still used generically in English. In ancient times, rape was viewed less as an assault on a woman and more as a serious property crime against the man to whom she belonged, typically the father or husband. The loss of virginity was an especially serious matter. A raped woman's prospects of finding a husband and an appropriate bride price reduced.
Current Significance: On Thursday, Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, who is accused of raping his maid, was remanded to judicial custody till July 2. Rape is increasingly reported, giving rise to the perception that its incidence is rising across the world. A recent survey in South Africa found one in four men admitting they had raped someone at least once. Nearly half admitted more than one attack. The study, by the country's Medical Research Council, said practices such as gang rape were common because they were considered a form of male bonding.
History: The history of rape and its changing meaning is complex. In Roman times, rape was considered a 'public wrong' or iniuria publica, as opposed to a 'private wrong' or iniuria privita. Rape-along with arson, treason and murder-has always been a capital offense. Till the colonial period, rape along with arson, treason and murder was a capital offense. In England in the early fourteenth century, a rape victim was expected to gouge out the eyes and sever the offender's testicles herself. Mediaeval theologian Thomas Aquinas argued that rape, though sinful, was much more acceptable than masturbation because it fulfilled the procreative function of sex, while the other acts violated its purpose.
Public perception of rape arguably changed with the 1988 film 'The Accused', starring Jodie Foster. The film explored issues pertaining to the legal and moral responsibility of witnesses. It also challenged the prevalent view that a scantily clad woman in a bar on her own was "asking for it".
Please comment on this story.
Whhaat you are talking about rape..?
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