The language of rape

Today, on a message board, someone asked if a particular male celebrity "took" a female celebrity's virginity. I suppose that is still a common term. A woman's virginity (or any other part of her) is not something for a man to "take"--it is hers to do with as she pleases. To say that a man or boy "takes" it is to endorse the language--and the concept--of rape.

Brides still say that their fathers "give them away." This phrase refers to the possession of a woman or girl by one male in order to pass her on to another male. It, too, is the language of rape.

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I consider language the most important transaction we have. As long as we continue to talk about men and boys' "taking" a woman's or girl's virginity or about men "giving away" their daughters, we are endorsing rape.