Sexual Violence: Opposing Viewpoints

The persistence of rape, sexual abuse, and other forms of sexual violence raises difficult questions about the causes of and best solutions for this age-old problem. Chapters include: What Causes Sexual Violence? How Serious a Problem Is Sexual Violence? (20020801)

Grade 9 Up. "Opposing Viewpoints" tackles yet another important and current topic. Topics explored include the causes of sexual violence, the extent to which it is a problem, and the questions of how to address the issues of victimization, and how to reduce sexual violence in our society. Summaries of each selection's major points and questions to guide readings introduce each piece, helping readers to focus on the author's logic. Adolescents will find several topics here that relate to their own concerns such as whether or not rap music promotes sexual violence and the roles that gender equality and socialization play in this issue. They will also find information relating to incest, rape, sexual abuse, battered women, and discussions of the legal handling of sex offenders. This volume will be of use to teachers, students, and a general readership interested in improving critical-thinking skills, evaluating information presented in the general media, writing reports on sexual violence, and understanding the public debate on the variety of issues that surround it.?Melissa Gross, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 9^-12. Another intriguing Opposing Viewpoints series title, this explores the varied arguments about rape, its causes, and its prevention. The articles, centered primarily on date rape, but with many selections also focused on the easier-to-identify stranger and mass rape phenomena, explore the various theories of what societal factors contribute to or impede rape--from rock music and pornography to traditional gender roles and the women's movement. This is one of the few Opposing Viewpoints titles in which the order or omission of selections poses potential problems for readers. Much of the sexual violence debate has been engendered by a small group of writers who refer to one another's premises specifically. Unfortunately, these seminal opinions are found later in the book--or not at all. Thus, discussion of Katie Roiphe's views of rape is targeted in several selections throughout the second chapter before a passage from Roiphe's The Morning After is featured in chapter 3. Mary P. Koss' original campus rape research is not included, in spite of disagreement regarding its conclusions in several articles. Fortunately, the bibliographies throughout and at the end of the book are complete, so interested readers can explore this disturbing topic further. Human sexuality and all its ramifications are thought provoking, controversial, and sometimes confusing. Periodical and book bibliographies, notes for further discussion, and lists of organizations are included. Frances Bradburn