Author ORCID Identifier
0009-0000-2009-3310
Date of Award
Spring 5-6-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Dr. Wendy Simonds
Second Advisor
Dr. Ralph LaRossa
Third Advisor
Dr. Katie Acosta
Abstract
Current literature suggests that we have, at best, a muddled understanding of consent. Recent studies have suggested that the current discussion of consent found online relies on the power of capitalism and the state to re-define the term, leaving already marginalized groups vulnerable to persecution and prosecution. To better understand the conversation around consent, I analyze language employed in the comments on Reddit and NYT posts about six male celebrities accused of sexual assault. To capture any change in this language over time, I selected cases from both before and after #MeToo, specifically those involving Bill Clinton, Clarence Thomas, Harvey Weinstein, R. Kelly, Aziz Ansari, and Louis C.K. I found some shifts in the discourse around consent – mainly a move from earlier legalistic interpretations of the word to a broader, more complex understanding of consent, post-#MeToo. However, I did not identify a consensus definition, instead finding that individuals operated largely based on their own definitions. I present here some distinct ways in which commenters spoke about consent. Ultimately, we still lack a clear, agreed upon definition of the term, making it difficult at times for constructive conversation.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/36969149
Recommended Citation
Schweigert, Katherine, "A Genealogy of Consent: A Discourse Analysis of High-Profile Cases Before and After #MeToo." Dissertation, Georgia State University, 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/36969149
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