Xref: utzoo sci.bio:785 soc.men:2390 soc.women:8815
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!gatech!mcnc!decvax!decwrl!pyramid!voder!tolerant!vsi1!steve
From: steve@vsi1.UUCP (Steve Maurer)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,soc.men,soc.women
Subject: Rape: a genetic catastrophe (was Re: Rape a reproductive advantage?)
Message-ID: <263@vsi1.UUCP>
Date: 15 Jan 88 09:51:11 GMT
References: <517@gtx.com> <5129@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu> <2201@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU> <3755@aw.sei.cmu.edu> <361@rruxa.UUCP> <5159@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>
Reply-To: steve@vsi1.UUCP (Steve Maurer)
Distribution: na
Organization: Vicom Systems Inc. San Jose, Cal.
Lines: 133


    Rape is a very difficult subject to discuss objectively,
however I will try:

    In biology, there has (reletively) recently been discovered
a phenomenon called the "Selfish Gene", that is, genes which have
certain properties during reproduction which insure their survival
at the detriment to the organism as a whole.    Of course, organisms
which have too many selfish genes die or are not survivable, and
so mechanisms have evolved in cells which tend to defeat selfish
genes.   So that it is the case that almost all creatures have both
selfish, and "selfish-defeating" genes.

    Rape (at least for animals) is a mirror of this behavior on
the societal/species level.   An individual member, undesirable for
any one of a number of reasons, will attempt to pass on its genes
during the reproductive cycle to the detrement of the species as
a whole.   Against the evolutionary imperitive, each species has
developed some means to discourage this practice, generally by
making it difficult to accomplish in the first place.   However,
if there are enough "successes", the tendency will be passed down.

    There must be a number of prerequisites already present in a
species before a "rape behavior" has a chance of starting.   First,
the species must be one in which the forcable passing of genetic
material is possible, and viable offspring must result (this
effectively restricts the behavior to males).  In addition, the
selective pressure must be on the reproductive side, not the
survival side, since a member of a prey species which lives to
reproductive age is by definition "desirable".  The species must
be societal, as "rape behavior" requires unsuspicious proximity,
and there must be a lack of territorial instincts among tribal
members.  And finally, the species must have a low birth rate,
making the offpring more valuable to the offended mother alive,
than simply killing it and starting over.

    Given all these restrictions, it is absolutely amazing the
number of species which have rape behaviors.   Monogamy is certainly
not a prerequsite, as Walruses suffer this behavior.   Neither is a
pattern of male dominance, as the ant example shows (among others).
Nor is mammalism.   It appears that this self-destructive species
behavior can be found whenever it becomes successful enough not to
be constantly subjected to survival pressures.


    So what conclusions can we draw from this about human rape?


    Before addressing such a loaded and emotionally charged question,
let be first reiterate the strict definition of "rape" I have been
using, and what it implies for humans:    Rape is a reproductive action
which promotes the genetic interests of the individual rapist against
the species (or society) as a whole.  Expressly it has nothing to do
with the feelings or emotions of the victim, except as the society
permits itself to relate to them.

    I use this definition not out of any particular malice or lack
of empathy, but rather because it (as numerous unfortunate victims
can attest) is the correct one.    Western, and most notably American
culture, has moved its societal definition of Rape closer to the victims
perspective than ever before (and even - in the case of Statutory Rape
- beyond it), but this does not mean that society (and the well-masked
genetic imperitive) is not fully in control of what it considers
its best interests.

    ( I also use Rape in this way to seperate it from the nebulous
field of coersive / "persuasive" / "seductive" sex, which appears to be
a natural (i.e. very common) activity applied by both men and women
in the course of relationships.   Though legaly, the use of alchohol
for "seductive" purposes is classified as rape in many states, it is
generally accepted practice.   So trying to use it as part of a
Sociological definition leaves the exact meaning of "rape" extremely
subject to interpretation. )

    Rape occurs when a man, either persuasively or forcably,
initiates sex with a woman, in a manner or situation which is
disapproved of by his current society.   Depending upon the society,
and its need (or percieved need) for children, this may be very loose
or strict.  Other societal considerations, such as percieved need for
genetic purity (racism), maintenence of social strata, the feelings
of the victim, and the feelings of the man are considered with
different weights.   

    In cultures with an imperitive on a "high" birth rate (high only
in relation to man, not other species), there is very little Rape.
Coercive sex is maximized and legitimized, especially within marrage,
but Rape only really occurs when the rapist attacks an already married
woman.  Any other situation is simply considered as a form of seduction,
with the "crime" only being the initiation of sex without approval.
In this case, the society usually punishes the pair by completing the
ceremony.   Note that when coercive sex is common, victims are usually
unaware they have been "raped", and do not consider it as such.

    In cultures with an imperitive on a low birth rate, the emphasis
is the opposite: nearly all sexual activity not within the specific 
marital institution is Rape.  Coercive sex may exist marrage, but it
too is limited.   Non-coercive sex quite often becomes classified as
rape, especially when the man is particularly undesirable from the
culture's point of view.   "Blame" for any Rape, gradually shifts from
female to the male, and punishments increase dramatically in magnitude.

    Societies and their corresponding cultures, also suffer evolutionary
changes.   Some more radically than others.  In societies like our own,
which once needed a high birth rate, but no longer do, there is a
confusion.  Sexual aggressiveness among males to increase the birthrate,
once highly desirable, is no longer.  Raped females, who once had a need
to be provided for, now no longer suffer that fate, so society feels no
compulsion to force a marrage (and tend towards leniency).    Yet there
are certain groups which remain to cling to the old values.

    Most of the increase in Rapes we have seen recently, I believe,
occur because of a misunderstanding of what is now permissable under
the new rules of society, and what once was permissible.   Couples once
strictly chaperoned to prevent any form of unlicensed leason, are left
on their own devices.    Sex is not only permissible, but often considered
a status symbol.  Yet old cultural values regarding permissible sexual
aggressiveness in males are still maintained, and in certain circles,
encouraged.   To the inexperienced, ignorant, juvenile male, the
difference between acceptable aggressiveness, and unacceptable, is
difficult to understand.   To the unsensitive, unintelligent, overly
agressive male, it is almost impossible.

    There are, of course, the other kind of rapists.   Those who have
usually aquired an early education in violence, being abused children,
and with an healthy dose of testosterone turn into abusers themselves.
However, despite press sensationalism, such people are extrememly
rare, and have always existed in various societies.

    Due to technology advances, much of the "genetic advantage" of
rape has been removed.   I imagine that in a million or so years,
(or so :-}) it would probably fade out entirely.

						Steve Mauerer