"Gray Rape": A new form of date rape?

I have learned many new things about rape through the documentary and the new concept of "gray rape". I feel that when many teenage girls picture rape they think of a creepy man in the alleyway who is coming to hurt them. Rape can be found in many different forms. I thought that it was astounding that the majority to rape victims are so young and also that the majority of the victims know the person who raped them previously. I think that it is scary to think that a person that we may know could potentially try to take advantage of us when we are vulnerable. The addition of alcohol to the situation can definitely also cause there to be a greater possibility of rape. I though that it was very interesting that alcohol is considered to be the number one date rape drug. Alcohol can definitely cloud the mind of a person and make them more likely to do things that they would not necessarily do when they are sober.

I also find the concept of "gray rape" to be very frightening. When both of the people that are having sex are intoxicated, who really is to blame? I truthfully never even thought of rape as having a gray area but the new concept that both people truly may not be aware of what they are doing does add a new layer to the possibilities of rape. This is the very reason why "gray rape" is very scary. No one in the situation is making the sound decision to have sex.

The most important that that I took away from the documentary was the idea of the buddy system. When I was first listening to the documentary, I thought that the idea of always having a friend with you was unnecessary. If we're going to be in college next year, can't we handle ourselves? However, I realized that having someone with you at all times especially if alcohol is involved will make everyone in the situation safer. Having a friend with you can help you to leave uncomfortable situations. A friend can also be there to knock some sense into you and make you not make rash decisions.

Some Say Love...

I feel that there are many different characteristics of love that exist in committed relationships. Relationships are not always perfect and happy as they often appear in songs TV. Often times songs and TV portray either relationships that are not about committed and long lasting love or portray love that can almost seems unattainable. Many songs force people to search for something in love that can be very hard to attain and rarely exists. I thought that the article was very insightful. Love is not perfect. Your partner in a relationship does no have to be the same person that you go to for advice in every aspect of your life. A person in a relationship can confide in a best friend, family member or someone else besides their significant other. The idea that although two people in a relationship do love each other and would always be there for each other is central to the strength of a relationship. However, a relationship can often be stronger if the relationship with a significant other is not the only strong and important relationship in your life. The idea of a soul mate is very attractive. I believe that everyone in the world does have someone out there for them.

Many songs that I listen to describe the different aspects of love. "Hard to Love" by Lee Brice describes a relationships where the man admits that he may not be perfect all the time, and he may often do things in the relationship that cause his girlfriend to doubt him. However, his girlfriend stands by him and loves him despite the bumps in the road and the flaws. Real love is not perfect and often has many flaws such as this relationship. The important part of love is to always stand by your significant other despite their flaws. "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz states, "And when you need your space to do some navigating, I'll be here patiently waiting to see what you find." This song states that even when one person in a relationship may need time to be apart from the other everything will be okay. He will always be there for her even when she needs to be by herself and figure some things out on her own. I believe that is a wonderful kind of love. That is the kind of love where two people just know that they are right from each other and even after they have been apart for a long time can come back together and be even more loving and compassionate than they were.

"When I Look at You" by Miley Cyrus describes a relationship where she looks to her boyfriend in times of trouble. Songs like these seemingly put all the pressure on a relationship to be perfect and for a boyfriend to have all the answers to solve all of the girlfriend's problems. A boyfriend is not a miracle worker. A boyfriend can definitely be there for his girlfriend in hard times and help her to feel better, but he does not always have all the power to fix all the struggles in life. "Only Hope" by Mandy Moore states, "And I lift my hands and pray, to be only yours, I pray to be only yours, I know now you're my only hope." This song puts unnecessary pressure on relationships. Of course, a boyfriend is someone that you can confide in for help. But, they are not the only person that can help you in times of struggle and difficulty. "God Gave Me You" by Blake Shelton explains a relationship in which he says his wife is there for him in the hard times. I feel that explains how someone can be there for another person in a relationship during the struggling times of life. The songs says, "God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt." The song explains how God matches two people in a relationships not to be the be all end all for the other person but simply to be there for that other person when they really need it.

Dating: What's the Point?

I feel that dating is not practice for divorce. Anti-daters do not realize that dating is part of figuring yourself out as a person. By dating another person, we are opened to new possibilities in relationships. Dating many different people is not like practicing divorce. By dating, we realize what we value in relationships and what kind of people will make us truly happy. Also, dating is not directly related to sex. People can date and have a happy relationship without having sex. Anti-daters jump to the conclusion that by dating, we are giving ourselves away to numerous different people physically, mentally and emotionally. Dating only allows us to explore what we want in a partner and allows us to explore relationships that are more intimate than friendship. Dating also allows for personal transformation and a greater sense of responsibility for another person. Just because two people date does not mean that they will get married. Often anti-daters equate dating with marriage and do not realize the true reason for dating. The hook-up culture in college is much more casual than relationships are. Relationships have true value and meaning. Hook-ups in college are often with a person that you barely know and will not know after you hook-up with them. Men and women view hook-ups in college as recreational, and they think that these interactions have no meaning and purpose beyond the physical. Dating, on the other hand, allows a couple to explore emotions as well.

Mission Statement

Since I entered high school, I have embraced my love for math and science. By pursuing engineering as a career I feel that I will allow myself to accept new challenges and embrace the problems that I face in the world. The ability to solve problems, however, is not just useful in engineering. I feel that I can apply these skills to my everyday life. I have always had a passion to help others and comfort them whenever they need someone to talk to. Although I may not always give the best advice, I feel fulfilled when I can be there for a friend. I am also passionate about opening myself up to new experiences. I feel that by allowing myself to embrace new opportunities in the world, I am living life to the fullest. I have also always been passionate about helping others in my community and others in the world as well. I feel that I am a better person when I help others. By sharing my talents with others, I can better myself and other people as well. I have been given the opportunity to help at the food cupboard at the Catholic Social Services in Norristown, and I hope that I will be able to continue to help others in the future. Helping others is truly fulfilling.

Miss Representation

I believe that girls are often misrepresented in the media and in society. Girls are expected to look perfect and are often criticized when they do not fit the mold of what women are supposed to be. Girls in society especially in the media often wear revealing clothing because that is what the viewers want to see. One interesting thing that I realized while watching the movie is that the majority of newscasters are older men and younger women who wear revealing clothing to attract a male audience. I feel that now, even at a young age, girls are being exposed to the sexualization of society. Stores sell pink bikinis to four year old girls who strut their stuff wearing them. Women are often placed in a mold and feel as though they have to be physically beautiful to be desirable. However, men are not the only people who judge women. Women often judge each other harshly. Women should be valued for so much more than their body or how they look. If movies and the media show that only beautiful people advance in life, women will constantly feel that they have to be physically perfect to be important.

Women are often violated sexually in the workplace. I feel that the violation of women occurs in many different jobs and at various levels. I work at food place and I feel that women are definitely sometimes sexually violated at my job. All of the girls who work at my job are encouraged to cover up and to wear appropriate clothing to work. However, almost all the guys who work at my job talk about which girl there is the hottest and make sexual references about the various employees. These references are not always made by just the guys, but most of the time they are. I feel that in my future I will experience more discrimination in the workplace. I want to pursue engineering as a career, and women often are the minority in the field. I feel that I may not be included in group projects and my opinion may not be valued because I am a girl. I should receive the same amount of support and opportunity as every other person in my career path if I put in the same amount of work.

I feel the going to an all girls school has given me the opportunity to become my own person. If I were in class with boys, I may not have been as loud and interactive as I am now. I feel that even though not all boys judge the opinions of girls, I constantly would feel like I was being judged for my opinion and criticized for participating in class. Being at the Mount has allowed me to understand how powerful women truly are. The Mount has allowed me to embrace my personality and be my true self. I have been given the opportunity to participate in classes, sports and clubs. If I were surrounded by boys, I may have not taken advantage of all of the opportunities that are presented to me consistently. I hope that I am able to take the feeling of empowerment that I feel at the Mount and take it with me in the rest of my life after high school.      

Identity

One important factor that has affected my identity as a person are my relationships with my parents. My mom has greatly affected who I am as a person today. She always helps me whenever I need help and her compassion and generosity has affected me as a person as well. My mom has also always taught me to help others and give back to the community. My mom has encouraged me to be active in my community and to give back to others. After my 8th grade graduation, my mom told me that we should try to start a high school youth group for the people in my parish so that we could all stay connected during high school. My mom and I got together and decided to form a youth group for my parish. The youth group that we formed my freshman year is now doing many service projects and is run by a youth minister at my parish. My mom has always told me to give back and to given me the incentive to give back and to better the community.

Another important factor that has shaped my identity is my friendship with my best friend Kelee. Kelee and I have been best friends since sixth grade. She has always been there for me whenever I have needed her help with a situation in my life. She always makes me talk to her so that she can help me even if I don't want to talk at the time. She is always there for me. She always knows how to help me and gives me the advice I need. One of the important things that she helps me with in my life is realizing what is truly important in life. Kelee helps me to forget the little troubles in life and worry about the bigger picture. Kelee helps me to relax when I am stressed and reminds me that the things that  I am worried about are usually not that important. Kelee always tells me to think about the lyrics of the Bob Marley song "don't worry about a thing cause every little things gonna be alright."

Another important factor that has shaped my identity is music. Whenever I need to relax, I sit down and listen to music. Often my family yells at me for playing my music too loud and disrupting everyone else in the house. However, I think loud music sometimes is the only thing that can truly soothe the soul. Whether I am listening to a calm and inspirational song such as "Holding Out for a Hero" or an upbeat song on the radio, music allows me to express my mood and be released from the world for a short time. I also took piano lessons as a child. Although I do not know many of the songs that I used to know how to play, sometimes sitting down at the piano and learning even just the opening of a new song can be the escape I need. I often will teach myself how to play just the very beginning of a song and perfect that part of the song. Being able to be myself through music allows me to express my emotions.