Stimulus

Stimulus. Hard on. That’s evolution’s gift to men. But like all our human urges, the sexual urge must be contained so it never harms others. Any act of sexual harassment from unwanted touching to rape is unconscionable, and the perpetrator must expect that there are consequences.

But whether by celebrities or common folk, these acts are social and cultural acts as well. What are the consequences when the laws are written with a strong male gender bias? What are the consequences when a young white male only gets a slap on the wrist for rape because his life has so much potential? What are the consequences when Hollywood elite ignore gross sexual behavior because they lack courage or make a trade off for money and career?

TV and movies treat sexual misconduct as trivial and even acceptable. Dress is inappropriate for the workplace but sexually provocative among the beautiful people who occupy the screen. This is what viewers appear to want. In clothing and behavior we’ve sexualized young people, especially girls.

Advertising and marketing may be the worst culprits. Models are carefully selected for their sexual appeal in ads for fashion, cosmetics, hair products, clothing and more. ED products, alcoholic beverages, soda pop and even Mr. Clean evoke sex to sell. Makers of these products essentially want customers to get a hard on for their products.

Any form of sexual pleasure that doesn’t harm others or oneself is acceptable in our culture. But when we look at individual cases like Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and Bill O’Reilly, we have to realize that we are all victims of the culture we have created.