Does Mistletoe at Christmas promote rape culture?

Question

Recently had a weird argument with my sister in law back from college. I'm not sure if she was high but she was insisting that it promoted rape culture because it forces women to allow men to kiss them. I can honestly say I've never been raped under the mistletoe, I've certainly been kissed and you can refuse to be kissed. When I added her brother has done things to me under the mistletoe that I definitely consented too my mother in law ended the matter lol.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Yes, it does. That's why a lot of women feel creeped out by many guys. That's a lot of them become stalkers and creepy incels. It's because a man overly pursuing a woman is seen as normal.

The prince from the snow white movie exhibits stalker behavior, but many guys would say it's normal or romantic.

Take a look at this video. It's clear what he is doing is wrong, but he thinks being a creepy stalker is normal. Saying it's not a big deal is wrong because look at how twisted this guy's logic is. He thinks he wants him to do that. It's like the stalker snow-white prince

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Rkd5RJ5MXo

A lot of these societal gender norms promote rape culture and dangerous behavior. Claim it is harmless shows how entirely unaware people are of rape culture because it is so normalized.

We need to stop promoting gender norms and find better ways to interact with each other.

Oliverlogan263 · Accepted Answer

Woah, now that's crazy. Promoting rape culture? Under the mistletoe? Your sister in law must have been smoking some weird stuff to think that. It's just a fun Christmas tradition, it's not like forcing anyone to do anything. Me and my friends always joke around with it, like trying to catch each other under it and getting a quick smooch on the cheek. No one's ever gotten mad about it. And come on, if you don't want a kiss just laugh it off and walk away, it's not that deep. Sounds like your mom shut that down fast though - probably to stop you saying anything else in front of the whole family haha! I wouldn't worry about it, your sis in law just had some weird take on it. Mistletoe's harmless fun as far as I can tell!

Erin2003 · Accepted Answer

Kissing under the mistletoe is typically consensual. If a guy grabbed me and kissed me I’d might certainly find it objectionable and depending on the circumstance it might be physical assault or harassment. But it is not sexual, since there is no contact with sex-specific body parts. Consequently, it would not constitute rape or sexual assault and therefore, mistletoe does not promote rape culture.

Your sister in law needs to lighten up and stop finding fault in traditions and western culture. Someone evil with bad intent can turn anything good/traditional into something evil but that doesn’t make the thing evil itself

WhitneySnow · Accepted Answer

I disagree with her. I think the key here is that the girl can always refuse to be kissed. But I’d like to hear her side of the argument.

NamerOfStars · Answer

"Rape culture" refers to the social atmosphere where sexual assault is normalized and accepted to the point where no one cares if it happens and no punishment will fall on the perpetrators; the only place that applies in the West is in prison. It's also really applicable only to men in prison; I guess your sister-in-law feels a need for an equal victimhood cake.

Mistletoe was also supposed to protect you from witches and evil spirits; if you're really worried about being kissed, you could just get a hat with a stick taped to it, attached to a piece of string and a clove of garlic. Or just wear a "Justice for Baldr" shirt. No one would bring mistletoe anywhere NEAR you then.

PBandJ_Nerd · Answer

I can see what she's saying. But most people only kiss under the mistletoe if both of them consent. If someone doesn't want it, they can just say no thank you.

Apple1996 · Answer

I have mistletoe hung in my house all year long so no I don't think it promotes anything besides a cute kiss with someone you love

smne35 · Answer

Why do you say such a thing even the jolly big belly guy in his red out fit personally created it to bring strangers closer together for the festive time of year, a time of giving forgiving and being jolly happy thankful it never occurred to red suited dude with a jolly attitude that a mistletoe will be equated with rape, wait do you read the proper way to use it, a kiss not rape, seriously that's disturbing to think that a friendly gesture could promote rape, culture, what's going on it there that I'm missing I mean you hardly see people hanging mistletoes much lately, I really hope your wrong here and this is not taking place, I like to think people at this time of year are at their best behavior towards each other, isn't that the true meaning of the season peace to all and to all a good night

Joshydavid25 · Answer

They are purposefully indoctrinating all those in college.. I guess it's par for the course at this point.. But of course not, it's silly to think that only men want to kiss the women under the mistletoe..

molonski2 · Answer

I'm sorry but that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard , I'd say she'd have to be high , what an utterly ludicrous proposition , rape culture under the mistletoe ! Ridiculous.

Charliefretz329 · Answer

Lmao!

It’s actually a pagan tradition of celebrating life and fertility during the darkest months. The mistletoe is the only green on those trees.

So those who hang mistletoe are asking for sex, not kisses. Obviously not rape if requested

MiddleAgedClimbee · Answer

That seems a bit extreme of an accusation on that poor little plant. Consents should always be Kevin under the mistletoe, and only creepy people would force themselves/have unreal expectations upon another individual.

Anonymous · Answer

So a beloved 300-year-old Christmas tradition is now rape? I don't recall anyone ever being penetrated under the mistletoe.

loveslongnails · Answer

LOL It doesn't FORCE a woman to do ANYTHING. It's not magical. If a guy walks around with mistletoe and holds it over your head and tries to kiss you uninvited, dig your high heel or boot or shoe into his instep.

BrookeS · Answer

I have no clue what she was talking about. If you with a SO then you two kiss, if its with a friend maybe a peck on the cheek but must people i know just ignore it

Drewtate · Answer

Reminds me of all the Christmas songs the woke mafia want to ban in their war on Christmas.

legalboxers · Answer

my mistletoe is in my back pocket. so people can kiss my ass

laurieluvsit · Answer

Getting raped under the mistletoe? ... no, I haven't heard that one yet... lol

strateguy632 · Answer

mistletoe generated the excuse, for people who hesitate, despite wanting to make out.

dolemite58 · Answer

it doesn’t force anything 🤣 there’s no law saying women have to kiss under mistletoe. that sounds like some crazy horse shit ud hear in a liberal arts class.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Only to the paranoid and the woke. Pretty much the same thing.

RageBabe · Answer

No, but with this PC culture, anything is possible.

LiamJHayden · Answer

lol I have seen guys plead, but never force a girl. I have seen girls practically jump guys who wander under it.

douride2 · Answer

That is taking a kiss which you can refuse to the extremes.

Does Mistletoe at Christmas promote rape culture?

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