Just a Kiss? Rape Culture in Social Media Reenactment Photos

• In Event: Contesting Rape Culture: Feminist Explorations of Violence Against Women

Abstract

A content analysis examined the ways in which social media users posed with a 25-foot, iconic statue of WWII sailor kissing a nurse. The iconic kiss is non-consensual, yet the image has been associated with romance and other positive American values. This study analyzed 236 photographs of “The Kiss” statue posted on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and tagged with #kissandtell5, #embracingpeace, or #unconditionalsurrender. Comments on “kiss” photos primarily focused on themes of romance, humor, patriotism, although some included comments regarding rape culture and non-consensual contact. When individuals reenacted the kiss in the photo, they were largely found to be heteronormative, with a man dipping a woman backwards. However, some kiss reenactments included women dipping men backwards, women kissing women, and men kissing men. The author explores how mediated conversations and reenactments of “The Kiss” reflect contemporary attitudes about rape culture, romance, heteronormativity, and gender performance.

Author

• Holly Purcell, Wayne State U