Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 5, 1993 TAG: 9305050300
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In Justin Askins' April 7 commentary ("Women should take their part of responsibility for `date rape' "), he asserts that if a woman decides at the last minute that she doesn't want to have sex, then the man is entitled to have intercourse with her, despite her wishes. He has trouble calling that rape.
Let's switch gears. A man goes to a store with the intentions of buying a stereo. The clerk spends almost an hour helping him and is convinced that there is a sure sale. After listening to many systems, a stereo is decided on, which is in stock. With the stereo laid out in front of him and his credit card ready to be handed over to the clerk, the man hesitates. He has decided that he shouldn't buy the stereo at this time and turns to walk out of the store. The clerk is furious. He made the man a priority and now he's going to walk away empty-handed.
Should the man be forced to buy the stereo because the clerk thought it was a sure sale? Should the clerk say, "I'm sorry, but you made me believe that you were going to buy a stereo. Hand over the credit card, or you won't be able to leave until you do." No, the man should not and cannot be forced to buy the stereo.
In the same vein, women have every right to have sexual encounters with men and then not be forced to have intercourse just because a man thinks he's entitled to it.
It's time men take responsibility for their own sexuality and behavior. Stop thinking that women you date or are married to owe you sex.
As long as there are those out there who can describe a violent violation of another human being's rights as an "understandable assault," we are in more trouble than I could have imagined possible. PATRICIA M. ARMSTRONG BLACKSBURG
by CNB