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Book Reviews of Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town

Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town
Missoula Rape and the Justice System in a College Town
Author: Jon Krakauer
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ISBN-13: 9780385538732
ISBN-10: 0385538731
Publication Date: 4/21/2015
Pages: 384
Rating:
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 12

4.4 stars, based on 12 ratings
Publisher: Doubleday
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

2 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Sandiinmississippi avatar reviewed Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town on + 265 more book reviews
Really could not say it better than Paula G's review. Pls take time to read it, it's excellent. While we sympathize with the awful experiences of some of these girls we also see where the problems started. I don't know if Krakauer intended that or not - he seems to try to beat the drum about the injustice of a man getting by with rape. But in telling the details: got drunk, told guy I wanted sex, took him home, took off clothes, necked for a while, changed my mind, but invited him to spend the night in my bed anyway - RAPERAPERAPERAPE......he provides a lot of insight into college-age interactions in today's world. Anyway - quite a bit of research went into this book & he handled things fairly even-handedly.
reviewed Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town on + 145 more book reviews
I appreciate that these girls were traumatized. I appreciate that the boys walked away Scott free.

That being said, these rapes could have been prevented with a few old fashion protections. The problem of date rate is also a problem of values.
One of the unspoken problems in this book was the consumption of heroic amounts of alcohol.
Girls, hoping to be popular, drink themselves unconscious. Guys, hoping to use them, drink themselves beyond conscience.
Another unspoken problem was casual sexuality. One of the victims in this book took a strange boy to her room with the promise of sex, changed her mind at the last moment, and then tucked him into her twin bed. She climbed in beside him, naively only expecting to sleep.

Parents protect your daughters. Teach them self respect. Teach them that access to their bodies is something that should be earned with a lot of romantic overtures. Tell them the truth that casual sex is good for guys, but rough on women. Women are smaller, more emotionally vulnerable to sex, in sex have fluids put inside their bodies, and can get pregnant. She has the vulnerability. He has the power. If he loves and respects her, he will use this power to protect her. If he doesn't, he can use it any way he wants to. Finally, teach them that alcohol should be drunk by the glass and not the bottle. Let them know that people who want them to lose control or spend the party drunk over a toilet, are not their friends.

Protect your sons too. Teach them that women and reputations are to be protected. Teach them self-respect that their seed should only be planted in a fertile field, not in any random chic. Again, teach them that alcohol should be drunk by the glass and not the bottle. Let them know that people who want them to lose control or spend the party drunk over a toilet, are not their friends.

As a society, we need to get over the idea that irresponsible behavior is to be expected from teenagers and college students. The civil war was fought by 13 year-olds. Men of 22 are fathers of 5 in much of the world. So why do we assume that our 18 year olds can't even understand that drinking a fifth of vodka makes them stupid? We would do better to consider (and expect) our youth to be the most vital and useful members of society.