Rape

:For other uses of the word rape (for example, the plant called rapeseed), see Rape (disambiguation).

Sociobiological analysis of rape

:Main article: Sociobiological theories of rape

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Some animals appear to exhibit behaviors which resemble rape in humans, in particular combining sexual intercourse with violent assault, such as are observed in ducks, geese, and certain species of dolphins. It is difficult to determine to what extent the idea of rape can be extended to intercourse in animal species, as the defining attribute of rape in humans is the lack of informed consent, which is difficult to determine in animals. However, it is clear that sometimes, the animal does not want it when it is sexually approached by another and penetrated, e.g. when it tries to run away.

Related Topics:
Duck - Geese - Dolphin - Informed consent

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Some sociobiologists argue that our ability to understand rape, and thereby prevent and treat it, is severely compromised because its basis in human evolution has been ignored. They argue that rape, as a reproductive strategy, is encountered in many instances in the animal kingdom, including among the great apes, and presumably also among early humans. Some studies indicate that it is an attempt by the male of the species to increase his reproductive fitness when he is lacking in ability to persuade the female by non-violent means (Thornhill & Thornhill, 1983). Such sociobiological theories, regarding rape as adaptive, are highly controversial, and are not accepted by all mainstream scientists.

Related Topics:
Sociobiologists - Evolution - Reproductive - Animal kingdom - Great apes - 1983 - Adaptive

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Camile Paglia and some sociobiologists have argued that victim-blaming should not be totally dismissed in all cases, since some sociological models suggest that it may be genetically-inbuilt for a certain proportion of men and women to act in ways which would tend to raise the chances of rape occurring, and that this may be a biological feature of the species. This, however, is a very controversial view. A contrasting view, given by Lewis Thomas in his "Lives of a Cell: Notes of a biology watcher", claims that rape is not only not an evolutionary benefit to the rapist, but that it is strongly maladaptive, and therefore selected against.

Related Topics:
Camile Paglia - Sociobiologists - Sociological - Genetically - Biology

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