Dismantling Rape Culture: The Peacebuilding Power of 'Me Too'

This book explores rape culture through the lens of the 'me too era' and advocates for peace-building opportunities to transform culture. It introduces a culture-jamming re-telling of traditional fairy tales to dismantle rape culture and argues that cultural attitudes and behaviors can be shifted through the introduction of disrupting narratives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate tapestry of rape culture, shedding light on its pervasive presence through the lens of the 'me too era. By intertwining feminist theory with peace studies and improvisation theory, it advocates for transformative opportunities to shape culture and harness the power of 'culture-jamming' as a mechanism to dismantle rape culture. At its core, the book posits that cultural attitudes and behaviors can be shifted by introducing disruptive narratives, thus concluding each chapter with a 'culture- jammed retelling' of a traditional fairy tale.

In Chapter 1, the author explores the intersection of feminist theory and peace studies, contending that rape culture can be most effectively comprehended through the concept of 'structural violence.' Chapter 2 delves into the gender scripts that rape culture engenders, considering a female counterpart to the notion of 'toxic masculinity': 'complicit femininity.' Chapter 3 offers a comprehensive analysis of non-consensual sex and a history of consent education, culminating in an argument that we must transcend consent to conceptualize a robust 'respectful mutuality.' Chapter 4 traces the history of sexual harassment in the workplace and the emergence of #metoo, arguing that its global manifestations serve as a potent force for peace-building. Chapter 5 situates 'me too' within the context of culture-jamming history, employing improvisation theory to demonstrate how this movement's potential can shape cultural reconstruction.

This thought-provoking and interventionist addition to feminist theory scholarship is an invaluable resource for researchers and students in the fields of women's and gender studies, feminist theory, sociology, and peace studies. It encourages readers to critically examine the societal norms and structures that perpetuate rape culture and to explore innovative approaches for fostering a more equitable and respectful society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367643898