Asking why we privilege “no” over “yes” is . . . let’s just say problematic.
I can see that someone who has made it beyond childhood without learning this (perhaps by willfully ignoring the answer) has a problem. But does asking, in itself, create an additional problem?
Asking is not separately problematic from not internalizing the correct answer.
But there is a social context, and we can’t pretend we are writing on a blank slate. In the social context that exists, asking the question substantially raises an observer’s probability that the questioner has not completely internalized the correct answer. Essentially, asking the question is somewhat like privileging the hypothesis.
EDIT: Of course, there is mostly a problem because this particular topic (consent for sex) is so filled with conflict. With a topic that is less contentious, there is less reason to think that asking the question implies anything about what the questioner thinks
See also this comment, describing the issue in terms of implicit assertions.
I can see that someone who has made it beyond childhood without learning this (perhaps by willfully ignoring the answer) has a problem. But does asking, in itself, create an additional problem?
Asking is not separately problematic from not internalizing the correct answer.
But there is a social context, and we can’t pretend we are writing on a blank slate. In the social context that exists, asking the question substantially raises an observer’s probability that the questioner has not completely internalized the correct answer. Essentially, asking the question is somewhat like privileging the hypothesis.
EDIT: Of course, there is mostly a problem because this particular topic (consent for sex) is so filled with conflict. With a topic that is less contentious, there is less reason to think that asking the question implies anything about what the questioner thinks
See also this comment, describing the issue in terms of implicit assertions.