If there's one big surprise in my adult life, as in, a thing I didn't expect when I was a kid, it was the seemingly pervasive extent of sexual exploitation done by powerful men, and the fact they they seem to all help each other in doing this.
I always thought that powerful guys got laid without really having to force anyone to sleep with them. You know, the stereotypical "be confident, look prosperous and healthy" and women will be attracted to you. The weird thing is, I think that actually does work! Even if you're not famous, having a few of those qualities has seemed to work for most guys I know.
So why are there so many famous guys who end up getting caught forcing themselves on multiple people? If you look at how few cases end up going to trial, there must be even more guys who are getting away with it. Not only that, the extent of the numbers. A guy like Weinstein must have been a full-time sex criminal. Constant, multiple times a day, like a busy salesman who meets clients three times a day. I don't want to make a joke of something so serious, but don't you get enough? Isn't it tiring and tedious?
The other side of this is the club. How can it be that they all seem to know each other? Most people tend to keep their sex lives private. If you're committing a crime, AND you're a public person, why would you find other people to do that with? It that part of the power trip?
I think the scarier thing is that this is actually happening in all walks of life, but it only gets widely publicised when it concerns rich, powerful or famous men.
The thing that surprised me most growing up was learning how inevitable sexual assault is for basically all women. I've never been close to any woman who couldn't tell me multiple stories of being harassed, assaulted or coerced.
I always thought that powerful guys got laid without really having to force anyone to sleep with them. You know, the stereotypical "be confident, look prosperous and healthy" and women will be attracted to you. The weird thing is, I think that actually does work! Even if you're not famous, having a few of those qualities has seemed to work for most guys I know.
So why are there so many famous guys who end up getting caught forcing themselves on multiple people? If you look at how few cases end up going to trial, there must be even more guys who are getting away with it. Not only that, the extent of the numbers. A guy like Weinstein must have been a full-time sex criminal. Constant, multiple times a day, like a busy salesman who meets clients three times a day. I don't want to make a joke of something so serious, but don't you get enough? Isn't it tiring and tedious?
The other side of this is the club. How can it be that they all seem to know each other? Most people tend to keep their sex lives private. If you're committing a crime, AND you're a public person, why would you find other people to do that with? It that part of the power trip?