Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture--and What We Can Do about It

This is a review by my son, Matthew Corrigan.In this enlightening thesis of a novel, Kate Harding explores the modern-day implications of rape culture and its effect on our everyday lives. This includes an exploration of the colleges we attend, the tv shows we watch, the comedians we laugh at, and the video games we play. They all affect how we treat victims of sexual assault and how we look at individual cases of rape, where our society tends to blame the victim and to think of ways in which the victim could have prevented the assault, rather than remember that the victim had a crime committed against her and not the other way around.Just as it has for others, this book has enlightened me to the sociological problems that today's society faces. For example, before reading this book, when I heard anything about the Bill Cosby cases, I tended to look for ways to discredit the victims as either gold diggers or attention-seekers. But now I see the women as victims of a terrible crime and Bill Cosby as a man who needs to be put on trial for his actions, and luckily that's happening as I write this review.I recommend this book to anyone who believes that women are to blame for crimes against them, or to anyone who has been sexually assaulted or has a friend or relative that was sexually assaulted. The book is both funny and engaging while still being as enlightening and interesting as it needed to be and then some. 5/5 stars.

Articulate, well documented treatise on the problems caused by a culture that promotes the idea of women as objects, possessions, prizes, toys, etc., that exist for men to pursue and use as they will. The glorification of this distorted idea of masculinity that men are more manly when they conquer and take, that they are entitled to sex with any woman who happens to strike their fancy, that they cannot help but give in to their sexual urges because after all they're men, that they bear no responsibility for their sexual actions, that submission whether achieved through drugs, alcohol, intimidation or physical force is the same as consent, and that it is totally dependent upon women to live so that they are never "guilty" of "provoking", "exciting", "enticing", "tempting", "seducing", or "bewitching" a male to do what just supposedly comes naturally, i.e. rape, puts women in danger and demeans men. And yet it is a narrative that many men and some women want to cling to like a drowning person to a lifesaver, while others are content to simply deny any problem exists. Ms Harding does an excellent job of presenting and supporting her case that there is indeed a problem and offers some suggestions as to how we can address it. I highly recommend this book.

A wonderfully written book! I laughed, I cried, I raged, I was sad when it ended. I'm 61 years old and, I suspect like almost all women, have been raped more than once. This book is amazing simply as therapy.

Harding presents a well-researched, rational account of the status of female oppression - what we currently refer to as "rape culture", aka 'male entitlement'. She mixes facts, opinion, and true stories of all-too-real women in all-too-horrible-no-win situations. Toward the end of the book, Harding almost apologetically relates the story of her own rape as a freshman at a small New England college, and the all-too-familiar unjust aftermath. As a counselor who works with sexual assault survivors, I hear many horrible stories, but never become immune to the individual horrors and psychological traumas inflicted. Harding - don't ever apologize for sharing your experience. I wept for you, as I do for all who have had to endure the helplessness of rape. Asking For It is an amazing piece of work. Thank you.

This was a very enlightening read. I learned so much from the sections on Male Rights Activists, Pick Up Artists, Trolls, and Gamergate. I think conservative-leaning people would have a hard time with this book, but it is very informative and gives a good foundation for understanding what we women deal with if you're not aware. I'd love to read a follow-up in the time of #metoo and Kavanaugh being confirmed.

This book is amazing. Whether you're passionate about feminism, curious about the issue of sexual violence, or simply wanting to educate yourself about rape culture in the United States, you need to read this book. This should be required reading for every freshman political science, criminal justice, sociology, gender studies, and psychology course. Harding explains rape culture and its various contributors with clarity, depth, and passion. She uses a wealthy of statistics that immediately combat the assertion that these are just "theories." Rape culture is real, and Harding does an excellent job explaining its causes and consequences holistically and with the intention of moving us forward as a culture and a nation.

The one missing element in this book on Rape Culture is the male perspective, from a man. Not what the rapist has to say, but what non-rapists have to say about why they're not speaking out. Why do they support those accused of rape? Why are women so beloved as mothers and so disposed as partners? What are the psychological triggers for a rapist and how can they be addressed? I would love to read a male response to this most necessary and powerful expose on Rape Culture.Also, I am curious to know how women who love their fathers, husbands and sons, to the point of protecting them in such a culture of rape and denial.

I have great respect for Kate Harding after reading this book. She compiles every rape or sexual assault case you've ever heard of into one book--plus a ton more you've never heard of. Everyone should read this book if they plan on making a statement about the state of rape culture in this country--It gives you so much to consider, so many sides of every story. Not to mention, she writes it in such a way that I really just felt like I was listening to a TED Talk the whole time. Also, it's awesome on Kindle--a great late-night, in-the-dark read.

Excellent book! Kate really tackles the subject. I've read many books on the subject but this one I found related the most. Having had several years of counselling, I've struggled with shame and understanding why people let me down when I needed them. This book has made so much sense to me and has really helped me understand my situation. It is a great book for survivors but everyone should read it! Thank you Kate for keeping the conversation open on the subject. You have made a difference to at least one reader and I'm sure you will have a positive effect on many more! I hope people like Kate Harding continue to fight for survivors and give them a voice which is so often muffled by myths!

Kate Harding's writing is blunt, brilliant, and highlights why we all need to keep up the conversation about rape culture.

Ein gut recherchiertes, klug und trotz des schweren Themas teilweise mit Humor geschriebenes Buch. Das Thema wird zwar anhand der USA beschrieben, lässt sich aber auch auf andere Länder anwenden. Das Buch sollte Standardlektüre für alle sein - Männer und Frauen, Jungs und Mädchen, alte und junge Leute.

The most comprehensive and forward thinking book on rape culture. Kate Harding is freaking fantastic, she writes in a way that makes you want to throw down the book and become an activist. A thought provoking book that is great if you're new to learning about rape culture or have studied in school. Her thorough research, sharp wit and spot on sarcasm and hilarity will keep you hooked on this book. I think this is one of the most important books of the decade, I'm so so glad I found it thank you Kate you are just the best kind of writer and human being!

Questo libro è come un pugno nello stomaco, ti costringe a riflettere davvero e a farsi domande dure e scomode rispetto alla società in cui si vive e anche alla propria mentalità .Lo consiglio ma per leggerlo bisogna essere concentrati e disponibili a mettere in discussione molti pregiudizi.