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Maybe one incentive behind the theory that "rape is about power" is that "rape is due to sexual frustration" would end up validating the importance of men's need for sex, while "it's about power" is much easier to condemn, and is more 'moralistic' as opposed to 'cause-effect".

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Aella

@Aella_Girl

Not that rape *isn't* about power - I'm sure most have this as an important element, and some have it as the sole element - it's just that in most discussions I see this talked about as the only possible reason.

11:56 PM · Jan 4, 2020

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I think that its probably because blaming rape on sexual frustration seems like an attempt to justify an unjustifiable act.

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All actions can be explained. If we understand why people rape, then we are better equipped to stop it. I wish people didn't interpret 'try to understand' as 'endorsing.'

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Attempted synthesis: sexual frustration contributes to a sense of powerlessness...

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I agree, it depends on the rape. I would think some robberies are about power as well, though most are about money. Generalizations.

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I think the majority of victims are young girls/ women. Yes men can hold power over them, but that's true of many other demographics, like elderly women. Robberies (also indicative of helplessness) show more even spread. Data suggests it's about desirability more so than power.

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Frustration may be an element, but it's not sufficient to explain, obviously many people are sexually frustrated very few rape. Power has more explanatory power.

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Power, whether physically or psychologically, is a necessity for rape to occur. Whether the experience of power is the underlying desire of a rapist is a different matter.

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Even if the “patriarchal” power isn’t consciously being wielded, it’s clearly also about power in the sheer physical sense - rapists are aware that they have a good chance of overpowering a woman physically and are therefore likely to get what they want.