The thing you seem to misunderstand is the difference between a joke, and the subject of a joke. The latter is of course not funny. But no children were harmed in the former.
‘jokes’ about rape certainly harms rape victims by making it easier for society in general to dismiss their claims of suffering.
Just like back in the 50s to 70s where wife beating jokes were so normal they were said on family TV. In fact the ENTIRE premise of the Honeymooners TV show was about the implied threat of spouse abuse. Because it was considered ‘normal’ and joking about it was ‘normal’.
No rape joke is funny, and harms rape victims by making light of their suffering.
I think this is definitely true, but it doesn’t just blanket apply to any joke that mentions these topics.
Jokes where people “pretend” to say sexist or abusive ideas, but the joke is that “I’m actually a nice person, I obviously don’t really mean this” (eg “no means yes, and yes means harder, amirite guys ;-)” or “if there’s grass on the wicket, it’s ready for cricket, lol”), can definitely be harmful even if not many that way. It normalises those attitudes, and can make abusers feel like they have more support from society than they really do.
But in this comic the character comes across as a psychopath, proudly announcing something that is clearly wrong, and the other one calls the police. I don’t feel like anyone is getting some message that actually it’s totally normal to have sex with ten year olds…
The thing you seem to misunderstand is the difference between a joke, and the subject of a joke. The latter is of course not funny. But no children were harmed in the former.
‘jokes’ about rape certainly harms rape victims by making it easier for society in general to dismiss their claims of suffering.
Just like back in the 50s to 70s where wife beating jokes were so normal they were said on family TV. In fact the ENTIRE premise of the Honeymooners TV show was about the implied threat of spouse abuse. Because it was considered ‘normal’ and joking about it was ‘normal’.
No rape joke is funny, and harms rape victims by making light of their suffering.
I think this is definitely true, but it doesn’t just blanket apply to any joke that mentions these topics. Jokes where people “pretend” to say sexist or abusive ideas, but the joke is that “I’m actually a nice person, I obviously don’t really mean this” (eg “no means yes, and yes means harder, amirite guys ;-)” or “if there’s grass on the wicket, it’s ready for cricket, lol”), can definitely be harmful even if not many that way. It normalises those attitudes, and can make abusers feel like they have more support from society than they really do. But in this comic the character comes across as a psychopath, proudly announcing something that is clearly wrong, and the other one calls the police. I don’t feel like anyone is getting some message that actually it’s totally normal to have sex with ten year olds…
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“Ya know, the Nazi’s had pieces of flair… They made the Jews wear them”