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Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture--And What We Can Do about It by Kate Harding
kcdarmody's review
4.0
Tough to read but more important than ever. I appreciate how she ends on a note of hope that we can and will end rape culture.
robin_birb's review
4.0
In Asking for It, Harding argues--I think quite successfully--that we live in a culture which, while professing to abhor rape, actually does precious little to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and punish rape. What's worse, we live in a culture which does more to encourage and protect rapists than rape victims (thus the term "rape culture").
This book is very thoroughly researched--the amount of data and scholarly research cited is truly eye-opening--and provides ample evidence to support its central claim: that our culture does not take rape as seriously as it purports to, and that we need to do better. This point is relentlessly driven home as Harding covers media, cultural myths, the criminal justice system, politicians, and much more.
Though it's well worth reading simply for Harding's detailed handling of the topic, the book ups the ante: after making the claim that we need to do better, Harding then provides concrete suggestions as to how we can do better. She does not simply identify a pervasive, ugly problem (though goodness knows that's important enough); she outlines ways in which we, as a society, can better address that problem. And that, to me, is one of the most valuable things about the book.
Harding's incisive critique paired with her forward-looking approach makes Asking for It a must-read.
This book is very thoroughly researched--the amount of data and scholarly research cited is truly eye-opening--and provides ample evidence to support its central claim: that our culture does not take rape as seriously as it purports to, and that we need to do better. This point is relentlessly driven home as Harding covers media, cultural myths, the criminal justice system, politicians, and much more.
Though it's well worth reading simply for Harding's detailed handling of the topic, the book ups the ante: after making the claim that we need to do better, Harding then provides concrete suggestions as to how we can do better. She does not simply identify a pervasive, ugly problem (though goodness knows that's important enough); she outlines ways in which we, as a society, can better address that problem. And that, to me, is one of the most valuable things about the book.
Harding's incisive critique paired with her forward-looking approach makes Asking for It a must-read.
mnboyer's review
5.0
For all of the wrong reasons, everyone is worried to discuss "rape culture" -- there are too many "gray" areas, people are afraid they'll be hated if they ask the wrong question, and of course... some people just don't believe "rape culture" exists despite overwhelming evidence.
Enter Kate Harding and this tell-it-like-it-is book that discusses rape culture, the many issues surrounding reporting rape, prosecuting rape, the media, and of course the ever-present trend of people blaming the victim. Harding offers personal insight (she'll discuss her own rape in this book) but offers possible reasons that rape remains an issue.
Simply put: We need to do better.
I fell in love with the writing style. Harding tells it like it is. She curses. You can tell there are times where she's angry. She calls people out. She attempts to hold legislators and judges (and let us not forget Senators) responsible for all of the dumb crap that spews from their mouth. My favorite idiotic thing a Senator has said about women and rape sums up as: If a woman is really raped, her uterus shuts down so she cannot become pregnant.
Definitely worth reading. I managed to get through it in a few hours--couldn't put it down.
Enter Kate Harding and this tell-it-like-it-is book that discusses rape culture, the many issues surrounding reporting rape, prosecuting rape, the media, and of course the ever-present trend of people blaming the victim. Harding offers personal insight (she'll discuss her own rape in this book) but offers possible reasons that rape remains an issue.
Simply put: We need to do better.
I fell in love with the writing style. Harding tells it like it is. She curses. You can tell there are times where she's angry. She calls people out. She attempts to hold legislators and judges (and let us not forget Senators) responsible for all of the dumb crap that spews from their mouth. My favorite idiotic thing a Senator has said about women and rape sums up as: If a woman is really raped, her uterus shuts down so she cannot become pregnant.
Definitely worth reading. I managed to get through it in a few hours--couldn't put it down.
pineconek's review against another edition
4.0
A great perspective on modern perceptions around sexual violence. I really appreciated the hopeful perspective of the last chapter. A bit too surface-y (and rapidly outdated, something that the author emphasizes multiple times) to warrant a full five stars but still a great read if you're interested in these types of topics.
librarylapin's review
5.0
This book is amazing! As a feminist, I wanted to read this book. As a human, I did not. I did not want to read more about how our society blames victims for their rapes and all the horrible things that occur based on a culture that devalues women. Harding provides good and varied information but her sarcasm also makes it an easy read that leaves you more hopeful than furious. Her sarcasm is one of the books top qualities.
ivanssister's review
4.0
Between this and the book on blackout drinking, I now need a palate cleanser.
depressedskeleton's review
5.0
Fantastic! Couldn't put it down, will definitely have multiple re-reads!
persnickety_9's review
4.0
This book was difficult to read in the sense that this is a very heavy topic (obviously). There were times when I wanted to stop and blame the pacing of the book, but she touched on so many relevant and poignant topics, and it picked up more momentum as the book went on. Overall a good read and one I'd recommend.
kvothesduet's review
4.0
Outstanding. While "rape culture" has recently become part of the lexicon, it risks becoming something of a catchall term. Kate Harding does us the service of tracing exactly what aspects of pop culture, social mores, and our legal system play into the tacit assumption that rape victims somehow deserved their fate. This is a witty, angry, passionate book, and it boasts one of the best discussions of consent I've read.
cdbaker's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone should read this. Now. Men and women. Seriously.