Schooling Todd Akin

It’s hard to keep up with current events when you are as self-involved as I am (so much so that I had to edit this post twice because I didn't have my facts straight).  However, it was pretty difficult not to hear about Todd Akin and the downfall that was his campaign.  If you have been living under a rock, Todd Akin is a member of the House representing the fine state of Missouri for the past 11 years.  He tragically made the following comments during an interview after being asked his views on whether a woman who became pregnant due to rape should have an option of abortion:

“Well you know, people always want to try to make that as one of those things, well how do you, how do you slice this particularly tough sort of ethical question. First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.”

Before you continue reading, let it marinate for a minute.  Go ahead, it’s fine; I’m not going anywhere.

Should we talk about how the American school system, high education system, and all around societal intellect has failed us?  Can we skip that and move onto the science?  Awesome.

It’s certainly not cute that Akin has no idea what he’s talking about.  I, however, have done a little research and have found some interesting information around the evolution of rape. 

The definition of “rape” varies.  Forced intercourse is the “popular” definition, but it is disputed across all disciples and hasn’t gained a consensus due to its sensitive nature.  The percentage of rape has a higher incidence in young adult communities (aged 19 to 35 which coincidentally is the age of highest reproductive value) as well as within couples who are in relationships.  And given the demographic, rape that occurs within a context of a relationship is often not as commonly reported.

There is a huge controversy in the scientific world on the continuity of rape.  I realize in saying this, I just set off a bomb, but let me explain. The down and dirty is that rape exists in nature.  It is nature’s method of genetic perpetuation.  The problem (thankfully) is that we aren’t dragonflies.  The controversy lies in whether in humans, it’s an evolved psychological adaptation or whether it is a “side effect” of a male’s preconceived sexual strategy to find “low-cost casual sex”.

Studies have shown that rapists, by in large, have low self-esteem, are less attractive, have a low socioeconomic status and thus are largely less genetically viable males.  That all being said could it be possible to profile a rapist?  Theoretically, yes.  Realistically, no.  It’s a huge generalization (and if you know me, I HATE generalizations.)

In any event, rape may have been evolved as a sexual strategy, and if society continues to sexually evolve as it has, we will be unable to profile potential rapists and rapists might (hopefully) become obsolete.

Someone send this piece to Todd Akin (Aiken), courtesy of controvershiL.