Alyson D. Haslet , University of Lynchburg Follow. With the rise of television and mass media over the last 50 years, it is only recently that sexual assault has been ubiquitously included in television programming.
In this explorative study, the portrayal of sexual assault will be examined in relation to popular television with three sitcom case studies. It will also consider portrayals of sexual assault in high school, college, and post-graduate settings.
The paper will also weigh how legislation has changed over the course of 22 years and how that is reflected in the programs. This project will look at the application and implications of rape humor in contrast to subversive humor. In examining these case studies and humor types, research and observation will be done on the role of sexual objectification of women within sitcoms and how that could perpetuate rape culture in a broader setting than television.
These observations will be analyzed through the lens of narrative theory. Sexual assault has affected countless people, whether that be directly or indirectly. The view and narrative around sexual assault is greatly influenced by television and popular culture, including shows with subliminal messaging such as sitcoms. The significance of this project is examining the degree of influence of how sexual assault is portrayed in sitcoms.
By examining how potentially harmful or helpful the discourse on the matter can be in respective shows, conclusions can be drawn about how these respective narratives affect how individuals, as well as a collective society view sexual assault. The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner.
