99.99% of the population will accept this statement: A man's manhood is largely based on how many women they can "get". If you are a man and you do not have success with women, your manhood is in question. This is problematic. Men relay this idea that women are to be sought after, courted, and conquered. These are the hegemonic values of masculinity; this perpetuates rape culture. The contradiction "if a woman says no she means yes." The question I pose is when (excuse my language) in the hell has no ever meant yes? What other situation does no mean yes?
The problem that resides is that if a woman says no to a man, a man is supposed to assume that they are playing hard to get. This is problematic. If a woman says no to a man and the man feels that this contradiction is in effect, a man will force himself on a woman; in turn sexual assault occurs. No means no, not maybe, not she's considering it, but flat out no. This notion that the number of women a man sleeps with is indicative of their manhood is a fallacy, but more importantly it perpetuates rape culture. To all the men who have daughters, sisters, nieces, granddaughters, by centering the idea of manhood on women, you are putting your respective family members at risk. Our daughters, sisters, nieces, and granddaughters should not have to worry about a man trying to force himself on them. Never. The concept of masculinity is deeply rooted, but it begins with men taking a stand by reshaping the idea of masculinity around reputable characteristics, such as honor, dignity, honesty, and other sought after traits. This is what needs to occur to stop the systematic rape culture.
