The Ambiguity of Consent : Consent Puzzles in Film, Television, Public Discourse, and the Law

The Ambiguity of Consent: Consent Puzzles in Film, Television, Public Discourse, and the Law explores the complex, often-contradictory nature of consent in contemporary society. This collection examines how consent is expressed and debated across media, legal systems, and public discourse, particularly in the height of “consent culture” in the 2020s. It interrogates the assumptions behind familiar frameworks like affirmative consent and informed consent and raises critical questions about power, communication, and interpretation. Through case studies and cultural analysis, this book addresses issues such as the blurred lines between “Bad Sex” and assault, the instability of consent for minors, and how normative models often fail to account for structural inequalities. It invites readers to rethink consent not as a fixed standard, but as a site of ongoing negotiation and ambiguity. This book is ideal for students and researchers in Gender Studies, Media Studies, Law, and Politics, as well as anyone interested in the ethical, legal, and cultural dimensions of consent.