About this unpopular opinion.
TW -- Please do not continue on if you are not comfortable with the following topics:
-- R4P3 (will not use the real word for obvious reasons)
-- Abuse
-- Any other toxic behavior, non-consensual actions, and possibly more.
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Do you guy's think r4p3 in yaoi or other (genres) is okay? I see many people arguing over whether it's okay to sexualize(?*) it just because it's fiction. I personally think that r4p3 in yaoi is okay as long as its part of the plot and isn't sexualized for the readers enjoyment. Many fujoshis take part in the liking of r4p3 as a whole, which really weird's me out. Yes, I do understand the POV they have. "It's fiction, and I can tell the difference between fiction and reality so it's not a problem". I get what they mean, but does that really excuse it? I mean, having MC 1 r4p3 MC 2 and then MC 1 proceeds to forgive him and they don't get at least a BIT of jail time just doesn't sit right with me, you know? I understand the themes of r4p3 and abuse in genres because they do, in fact, hold a huge part in manga and webcomics. They paint a picture of who someone is and what they've become from that trauma and what actions they'll take because of what has happened to them. They sometimes even go through a realistic process of what feelings you feel when/after you're (been) abused or r4p3d. Not to mention it definitely paints a very important picture of the person who r4p3d them, showing their thought process, actions taken afterwords, and what they did that made them do it. That's an important key figure in those. But when they just have them r4p3 someone for the readers enjoyment, its absolutely terrifying. Yes, sure, maybe i'm sensitive but nobody should be called "sensitive" for having their own opinion on a serious topic that matters. Yaoi sometimes romanticizes the r4p1sts, which is not right at all.
" both of those are in direct contrast to stories in which there is violent rape. The problem with that is it sets up a false premise: “Real” rape is scary, bad, evil, violent, and horrific; “Dubious consent” is romantic, erotic, and potentially beneficial. We are not meant to see the two scenarios the same way. Despite the fact that “questionable consent” is still not consent, we are intended to view it as a whole separate category." (c + p'd)
I completely agree with this right here. There are many kids who read manga, especially yaoi on this site. And they read yaoi and start WANTING to be r4p3d just for the experience. They are taught that r4p3 is okay and is not the slightest bit scary, which is very wrong, it is in fact incredibly scary; which is why it causes TRAUMA.
"Second, it romanticizes the rapist. Often, the rapist is written in a sympathetic way—troubled past, difficulties in forming good relationships, in need of the love of another character to become whole. Rather than having empathy for the victim, we become enamored with the rapist. In many cases, after the victim discovers the pleasures of non-consensual sex and falls in love with the rapist, the rapist is then transformed into someone now capable of love and tenderness. Similarly, the victim becomes the person who teaches the rapist they can have sex without hurting other people. It sets up the victim as the savior of the rapist, as though that should be the job description. The victim is often also a flawed person who needs the rapist to demonstrate what “good” sex is or should be like. In other words, the rape becomes “healing” for both parties."
"It's just fiction". Correct, It IS fiction, and I give you applause for realizing that. A lot of people will automatically assume that if you like r4p3 and romanticize it, then you probably like it in real life too. Using the line "Its just fiction" is more-so an excuse for you to get away with liking r4p3.
* I'm not sure if I spelled it correctly? Feel free to correct me.
I'd also like to say that I haven't had to go through that type of trauma so information I say may possibly be wrong.
May I add, its currently 5AM and i'm tired, sorry if I got some things wrong, again, please correct me if i misinterpreted anything, highly appreciated. I'd love to hear everyone's different opinions.
TL;DR: Your thoughts on r4p3 in yaoi? (sexualized* r4p3)
(Please read full thing for entire context!)
This has just been bothering me for quite a bit so I just wanted to outright say it.
Cited two paragraphs from here :
https://unchainedfaith.wordpress.com/2014/05/02/but-its-just-fiction-isnt-an-excuse/Oh, and, feel free to comment whatever opinions you have, whatever topic it may be.
I only re-read this once so there is bound to be mistakes! Please point them out!
