Ehlers is distributing the female condoms in the various South African cities where the World Cup soccer games are taking place. The woman inserts the latex condom like a tampon. Jagged rows of teeth-like hooks line its inside and attach on a man's penis during penetration, Ehlers said. Once it lodges, only a doctor can remove it -- a procedure Ehlers hopes will be done with authorities on standby to make an arrest. "It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on," she said. "If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter... however, it doesn't break the skin, and there's no danger of fluid exposure."
The concept of vagina dentata now has a physical embodiment in this new invention. For those of you who are not familiar with the concept, this is what it means:
The myth of the vagina dentata, or vagina with teeth, derives from primitive masculine dreads of the "mysteries" of women and sexual union. It evokes castration anxiety, whereby the man fears loss of the penis during intercourse, and more generally it relates to fears of weakness, impotence, or annihilation by incorporation (connected to unconscious notions of "returning to the womb").More information and a bibliography on this concept here.
The main objection to this invention is, for now, that it will make women feel constantly as potential victims, which will have dire psychological consequences. I submit, however, that in most places in the world women already feel constantly victimized and that any "psychological damage" this anti-rape condom might inflict on women will be smaller than the damage - both psychological and physical - caused by rape. In war zones, especially, where rape is used as a tool of waging war, this might be a particularly useful thing to have.
I would like to hear what my readers think about this new invention. Do you think it's a good thing? Would it help prevent rape? Would you buy one?
12 comments:
I think this is an excellent invention. It shouldn't leave permanent damage to the affected male, but it should leave some pretty heavy psychological and temporary physical marks. I think that if this device effectively prevents a few rapes, word will spread around the male community that you should keep what's inside your pants to yourself.
I do however have a few concerns about how well this is going to catch on within the female community. I think women might be hesitant to purchase one because it brings to the forefront those thoughts that, "Hey, this can happen to you." Often people don't want to realize this reality and choose to live in ignorance. I think it's kind of like dealing with one's own mortality; most people choose to ignore it, instead of facing it. I also wonder how often women will want to use the device. How practical is it to be wearing this constantly? Is it even comfortable or is it something women are going to notice?
Judging by how many people read the post already, the idea of a toothy anti-rape device is of interest to many.
My initial reaction was "Right ON! What an empowering device." But then I got to thinking, will it really reduce or eliminate rape? Does a rapist really prefer vaginal penetration or will he go for the mouth or anus, knowing this device might be in place? Or worse, put soemthing else inside the woman to "test" for its presence? And even if he does get latched on while inside the vagina, the woman will still have been traumatized by the violent act perpetrated upon her and have to testify against him. I think what we need is one that is spiked with a deadly poison that penetrates the man's skin and kill him instantaneously. Then you've taken out a rapist without all that long, drawn out re-victimization that frequently happens to women who are raped.
looks like a very useful device, this! But on some more thought, it might bring in additional problems. Like one commenter said, savvy rapists would soon learn to test for it. Also the attacker while he's stuck in there might be enraged enough to do more grievous harm to the victim. And what about some sadistic women who might want to misuse it (there already have been cases of bobbitization, you know)?
My first concern would be the same as that of cringe-all - what if being trapped would increase the probability of more severe violence against the woman?
Also, I have some issue with the idea from purely technological viewpoint: assuming that one can make a latex object so robust it cannot be cut by a perpetrator with some small scissors, it is hard for me to imagine somebody will want to walk around with a large phallic object in their vagina for extended periods of time. I totally understand that rape is a real problem, especially in some parts of Africa, but this particular solution sounds as if it originated from some pornographic novel. The old-fashioned chastity belt would probably be as effective and more comfortable.
It's curious how many people immediately started concern-trolling on this topic.
My first thought was whether it is up to the woman to prevent rape. Won't this increase victim-blaming more than it already is? My second thought was, would this be seen as a legal self-defense. Since it doesnt'cause lasting harm, however, it probably would.
I don't know about preventing rape, but it might discourage repeat offenders.
technically 'castration' is removal of testes, not of penis. :-)
This clarification to the budget that is made by our Mongolian lawmakers every time the copper price goes up is clarification to completely different things for Mongolian civic society. This is the clarification of how the management capacity of Mongolian state and government has deteriorated.
I think that a possible down side to this is that when a man is in pain caused "by a woman" his ego will be bruised as well, and I fear that he might get extremely violent and end up beating the woman...possibly to death.
Other than what everyone else has already stated, I think it might be a bit awkward for the woman, having to call the authorities with the guy still connected to her. I imagine it would be extremely difficult to walk--if she were already standing (because I honestly can't see her actually being able to get up)--with someone else literally attached at the hip. I can imagine the trouble that a woman facing this situation in her own house might have--negotiating stairs, reaching a telephone, moving around, trying to get the man to cooperate so she could do so, etc.
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