Significant Theory-Based Gaps

Significant Theory-Based Advances/Gaps:
Though only one of the literatures directly related to the case of Audrie Pott (Alexa Dodge’s article), the others all provide background for the issue of sexual violence against women. Dodge applies Butler’s ideas of the “digitalization of evil”, using its application for modern day sexual assault cases. She claims:
It is likely that the photographs of acts of sexual violence committed against Parsons, Doe and Pott were also interspersed with these kinds of images of everyday life, images of friends smiling, drinking and dancing. The everydayness and perceived legitimacy of sexual violence is illustrated by these cases of digital dissemination (Dodge 73).
The “Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization
It is a very specialized issue, with not a lot of scientific evidence being collected currently, which it makes it a difficult area for sociologists to venture into. Famous feminist theorists like Patricia Hill Collins and Simone de Beauvoir have focused on women and sexuality progressively, but there is a lack of focus on how the most current technologies affect sexual violence against women.

Theoretical Contributions Overview:
Due to the fact that there really is no specific social theory literature on the issue, I propose a combination of symbolic interaction and feminist theories, as well as a stronger emphasis on how technology can play a part in sexual violence. Because there are substantial gaps in the literature, any well-thought-out contribution has the ability to fill them. In a situation practically begging to be addressed, a multitude of sociological theories could be applied and I believe mine can fit the bill.

Own Theoretical
The concern over social media being used for nonconsensual image sharing isn’t unwarranted, but I also believe it is evolving into something else entirely. Social media allows women to even the playing field so to speak; it has created a place where women can share their stories and interact with other survivors. I’m not disputing that slut-shaming and hateful speech will occur, but it is an opportunity for women to empower themselves and others. By being able to share their perspective, they can essentially write a new “role” for themselves rather than being confined to an expected role. Mead, Butler, Goffman, and Dodge all have aspects of theories I was able to fit together to apply to the issue of high school sexual assault. Mead and Goffman offer a more traditional approach to symbolic interactionism which I then combined with Dodge and Butler’s modern feminist ideals. My contributions are necessary due to the dearth of theory based discussion on the topic, and I’d like to say they’re significant for that same reason. My combination theory has room for improvement, but it’s also an appropriate jumping off point for other sociologists to start